LATEST | Rick Tocchet just made an important statement regarding Arshdeep Bains: In Vancouver from here on out?

The homegrown product Arshdeep Bains was granted the opportunity to make his NHL debut earlier last week. Since then, the 22-year-old took part in 3 games and has only seen his responsibility increase as time went on.

Known to be a hard worker, Bains has only been in the team's management's good favours, and the fact that he hasn't yet been sent down should be a strong indication of how the team feels about him.

During Sunday's practice, the team's head coach, Rick Tocchet, was asked to comment on the young man's game and how he felt about him. Bains is on the right track, and from Tocchet's comments, he's earned this spot and his opportunity at the NHL level:



Bains has averaged over 12 minutes of ice time since he joined the team. Tocchet's recent statement certainly opens up a whole new range of possibilities. If Bains does indeed stays with the Canucks, who's the odd man out? What should his role be on the Canucks' roster?

One thing is certain, if Bains keeps on playing the way he has, not only will he secure a fulltime NHL spot, but it most certainly gives the Canucks the flexibility to move on from Ilya Mikheyev to improve the team in other areas if need be.