Mark Friedman's brief AHL stint comes to an end

With no injuries announced, Allvin seems to have made the move simply as a paper transaction to accrue some cap space for the trade deadline, which the team has been able to do since dealing Tucker Poolman for Erik Brannstrom.

Friedman doesn't require waivers after clearing earlier this year, so the team can move him up and down at will.

Before being sent down on Wednesday, Friedman suited up for the Canucks in his first NHL game in the season playing 14:49 in an OT loss to the Blues.

Friedman may eventually return to the AHL full time, and with Derek Forbort skating and seemingly near a return that could come fairly soon.

For now, however, the 28 year old (who turns 29 on Christmas day) is giving competition to Erik Brannstrom for a spot in the lineup.

After playing 23 games straight, Erik Brannstrom was healthy scratched for the first time, and it remains to be seen if Friedman will play over him again tonight as Florida comes to town.

With Derek Forbort looking closer and closer to a return and the team reportedly having interest in bolstering their blue line - Brannstrom may just lose out to the numbers game.

If the team gets fully healthy and makes additions on the backend we'll see if he still has a spot on the Canucks.