Vegas sent out 23-year-old Brendan Leipsic to Vancouver at the Trade Deadline for 26-year-old defender Philip Holm.
While Holm was assigned to the AHL to help the Chicago Wolves in their quest for the Calder Cup, Leipsic went on a tear with the Canucks, dropping six points in his first four games.
He's slowed down a bit, as he's gone pointless in his last five contests, but Travis Green is still giving him a long look. The winger played a career high 21:12 against the Sharks on Saturday. This speaks to the dramatic increase in his icetime since he shipped out to the Pacific Northwest -- he's averaged 18:21/game after just 11:56 with the Golden Knights.
On Vegas, the only forward playing more than Leipsic is now in Vancouver is William Karlsson, who sports a 18:36 ATOI.
I caught up with Leipsic last week and asked him about his new-found success and what's special about his equipment.
The Canucks visit T-Mobile Arena tomorrow night.
HockeyBuzz: You went on a bit of a scoring tear when you landed in Vancouver. What's been the change?
Brendan Leipsic: Just playing more. More of an offensive role, I think. Playing a little higher up in the line-up. It's a lot of opportunity.
HB: You've been described to me as a "piss and vinegar" kind of a player. Do you feel that's returned to your game here? Because in Vegas, perhaps because of your playing time, you weren't able to show off your ability to pester, annoy opponents.
BL: Yeah, I guess so. The role that I was in with Eakin and Tuch, we didn't have the puck a whole lot.
I just think I'm working a little harder, maybe. Comes with confidence. Making more plays, having the puck more. I don't know. Maybe change of scenery?
HB: I got a tip from another writer, regarding your stick. Even considering your height, is your stick shorter than usual?
BL: It's definitely a smaller stick. It's probably the smallest on any team that I've been on. It's a short stick for pucks in close to my body. Defensemen can't get it that way. I like it toward my feet where I can protect it. It's the length that I've always used.
HB: Any systemic differences here in Vancouver as opposed to Vegas?
BL: Not really. I know Turk talks about it a lot. Every team plays kind of the same way. It's just about who executes, who makes the least mistakes.
HB: Keeping up with the boys in Vegas?
BL: Oh, yeah. I've got some good friends there. Keeping touch with some those guys. Keeping tabs on them, for sure.
(Another stick tap to Jonatan Lindquist for the tip about Leipsic's equipment.)
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For more about Leipsic, I spoke with Mike Halford from The Athletic. Halford tried to delve into why Leipsic was onto his fourth stop at just 23, speaking with Milwaukee Admirals coach Dean Evason (Milwaukee is Nashville's AHL affiliate), former Toronto Marlies video coach Justin Bourne, and myself:
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