Canucks make change in goal, call up first round pick.

The Vancouver Canucks are making some big roster changes on Saturday, with moves at multiple positions.

The Canucks have officially announced that goaltender Jiri Patera is headed back to the American Hockey League after being assigned to the Abbotsford Canucks. In a corresponding move however the Canucks have called up former first round pick Jonathan Lekkerimaki, an exciting move for a fan base that hasn't had a great many reasons to cheer for this season.

Lekkerimaki has played at the NHL level before with 28 games of NHL experience under his belt and in fact has already appeared in 4 games this season. Lekkerimaki has 1 goal over those 4 games but more than earned another call up after 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points in 5 games at the AHL level.

The goaltending change however might be the biggest news of the day with the decision to send Patera down being viewed as a sign that the Canucks are getting healthier at the position. Some have speculated that this could signal the return of Thatcher Demko, however Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal has pointed to a start for goaltender Kevin Lankinen as the most likely possibility.

Lankinen has been sidelined due to an undisclosed personal matter and has missed the last two games with his team as a result. Although his return has not been officially confirmed, it does appear as though all signs are pointing to Lankinen's return at this time.

Stay tuned for more updates.