The Vancouver Canucks called up Arshdeep Bains from their Abbotsford affiliate on Saturday. The undrafted Bains chose to sign with the Canucks when he turned pro, and they’re lucky to have him.
Arshdeep Bains Gets/Is A Bonus
There is always some hesitation when an overager racks up points in the junior league. By the time a player hits five years in the CHL, they are four or five years older than others in the league. That alone is a massive advantage, so points are unexpected. But if the player was talented enough, they’d have been drafted well before they reached Year Five.
For instance, of the top ten Western Hockey League scorers all-time, only one – Greg Hawgood – played five WHL seasons and had an NHL career. Hawgood eventually played 474 NHL games with eight teams. Most of his career in the NHL was as a 7/8 defenseman despite gaudy offence in the junior league.
As for Bains, his junior record was interrupted by the COVID pandemic, so he only played 257 games. Even so, his 209 points aren’t particularly impressive, not even reaching the top 500 in WHL points per game. But his age 20 season totals of 43 goals and 112 points in 68 games was enough to convince the Canucks to sign him.
Bains grew up in Surry, BC, so he is close to home with either Vancouver or Abbotsford. That in itself is a nice bonus for any player, but he’s still determined to do more. Since arriving in Abbotsford, Bains has done everything needed to become a professional player. That includes changing his game to focus on defence and increasing his overall pace.
In his first pro season, he went from being the most experienced player on his team to a rookie. It’s the same change every older player hits when they turn pro, and Bains handled the move with aplomb. His first year was all about learning and managing expectations. His second is all about applying those lessons – and a bit more.
How’s The Western One
If there is a hidden benefit to being an overager, it comes from the player himself. Arshdeep Bains was a leader on his Red Deer Rebels team and understands playing at every level with a squad. His humility encourages learning while his skill puts them on the ice. There’s no shortage of leadership in Abbotsford, but Bains getting a letter on his jersey soon would be no surprise.
Assuming he stays on the team, that is. Already leading the AHL squad in points, he added a nice bonus in their All-Star Game even if he didn’t make the skills competition in time. His good “hockey IQ” will get him to the NHL, though he won’t likely be a 43-goal scorer.
For people who think he’s a replacement for the injured Dakota Joshua – don’t. Bains is a VERY different player, though he could take Joshua’s defensive skill to heart. Rather than the physically imposing Joshua, Bains plays defence by being in the right spot at the right time. He interferes with passing lanes and opponent’s skating lines to disrupt plays.
On the attack his approach is about spotting teammates getting to the right spot rather than making his own opportunities. This isn’t a bad thing, especially when he’s playing with skilled linemates. But if he makes the NHL, it’s going to be on the fourth line to start. He plays in all situations in Abbotsford, and that’s a good sign that he can be trusted.
Swapping Bains for Woo
For Arshdeep Bains to make the NHL and stick, he’s going to need that versatility. Production is expected of every NHL forward, even ones who are primarily defensive and penalty-kill specialists. There isn’t a lot of room in Vancouver’s improved PK this year without another injury or possibly a trade. But practicing with the big club will give him an NHL bonus paycheque even if he doesn’t see the game ice.
The same thing happened with Jett Woo, who was sent back down to Abbotsford after watching a game from the press box. Any player coming up from Abbotsford is going to be hard-pressed to bump someone from the NHL-leading Canucks. But the taste they get now should inspire these players to keep the ultimate goal in mind when they return to camp next season.
Main Photo: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
