Arshdeep Bains

September 2026 – Bains’ attempt to establish himself as a reliable depth option in Vancouver has not come together the way the organization hoped when they signed him to a two-year extension last summer. Five points in 28 NHL games is a damning return for a player with minimal competition for roster spots, and Vancouver had effectively moved on from him by the end of January, reducing his ice time to the point of irrelevance. His AHL numbers have regressed as well – 24 points in 34 games in Abbotsford after 43 in 50 the year before. The arrivals of Paul Cotter and Brendan Gallagher alongside emerging options like Linus Karlsson and Aatu Raty have pushed his path to regular NHL time to essentially zero. He will likely need to sign elsewhere when his contract expires to keep his NHL career alive. Avoid in all formats. Ryan Downey

August 2025 –  The Vancouver Canucks re-signed Bains, who signed a 2-year, $1,550,000 contract with the Vancouver Canucks on June 30, 2025, after a stellar AHL Calder Cup run in the American Hockey League playoffs with the Abbotsford Canucks that ultimately led to an AHL championship for the club that saw Bains produce 24 points (seven goals and 17 assits) in 24 playoff games. The contract carries a $775,000 cap hit and expires at the end of the 2026-27 season, and he will become a restricted free agent. Bains has played in 21 NHL games over the past two seasons and will compete for a bottom-six role during the 2025 NHL training camp with the Vancouver Canucks. Throughout his American Hockey League career, Bains has played in 175 games with Abbotsford, registering 136 points (40 goals and 96 assists) with 82 penalty minutes, and a +34 plus/minus, and 36 postseason games, recording 31 points (11 goals and 20 assists) with 30 penalty minutes, and a +11 plus/minus. Bains is better known for setting up teammates than scoring goals. Should he earn a full-time role in Vancouver during the contract, Bains will provide multi-category fantasy value in dynasty leagues, especially salary cap leagues that allow you to stash him in minors and move him to your NHL roster if an injury arises. Mark Henry

March 2025 – Since late November, Bains has been in the AHL for a large majority of the season, aside from two games at the end of February and beginning of March. His two NHL games showed the same struggles he had earlier in the year. He did not register a point and played a limited role. In the AHL, Bains has played better, but not at the same point production level as a year ago. However, his familiar tenacity and effort levels are still there. Expect Bains to remain in Abbotsford for the remainder of the year. Nick Orr

November 2024 – Bains had an impressive 55-point season in Abbotsford 2023-24 while getting some NHL experience. This year, after failing to crack the opening night roster, Bains has spent eight games with Vancouver, even getting a chance in the Canucks’ top six. While the hallmarks of Bains’ game, tenacity and aggressiveness, are there at the NHL level, the point production has yet to follow. However, Bains throws the body and contributes to the game in other areas, making him a player to watch. He may continue to be up and down between Abbotsford and Vancouver as the year moves on. Nick Orr

November 2023 – Since the beginning of the season, Bains has turned heads with his performance. In 11 games, he has already accumulated 13 assists and 16 points. What sets Bains apart from other players is his aggressiveness. He engages in a physical and assertive style of play, delivering hard hits and maintaining an aggressive forecheck. His versatility allows him to be a dynamic player who can contribute effectively on any line and assume various roles. Bains has the potential to become a highly intriguing player for categories league as he excels in multiple aspects of the game. Cedrick Blais-Turcotte

March 2023 – Undrafted? No sweat. Arshdeep Bains has proven his worth during his transition to professional hockey following a remarkable 112-point season with the Red Deer (WHL). The BC native has accumulated 23 points over 55 games in Abbotsford, with his 23 assists ranking him 12th among rookie skaters. Despite beginning the season in a bottom-six role, Bains quickly established himself as a key contributor to the team’s top-six and both special teams units. After just one pro season under his belt, it’s evident that the Canucks could have found a hidden gem to inject into their future bottom-six, thanks to his ability to kill penalties and his above-average hockey IQ. With a cheap price tag, there is a real opportunity to earn a roster spot out of camp and serve as a multi-cat asset for fantasy enthusiasts as soon as Fall 2023. Dave Hall

March 2022 – The Canucks have officially signed Surrey native, Arshdeep Bains, to an entry-level contract. Undrafted, the 21-year-old has blown up during his fourth year with the Red Deer Rebels, currently co-leading the league in points with 82 (30G +52A) through 55 games. In doing so, he has become the first player of South Asian descent to lead the WHL in points. With a dwindled prospect crop, this move serves as a clever and risk-free solution to filling the cupboards. He brings an intriguing mix of size (6-foot-1), skill, and grit to the mix and carries the potential to translate into a well-versed bottom-six contributor. Dave Ha