"The absence of Chris Tanev at Monday's practice wasn't the only thing different about the Canucks defence corps — it was just the most noticeable.

The 21-year-old was sent to Canucks' AHL farm club Chicago Wolves earlier Monday to make room on the NHL team's 23-man roster for the returning Ryan Kesler.

Another option would have been dispatching Alexander Sulzer, who's yet to see game action this season, but the German D-man requires waivers and may well have been claimed. Tanev is on the second year of a three-year entry level contract and doesn't require waivers, so was the risk-free choice."