Gaunce (shoulder) was left unprotected by the Canucks ahead of Wednesday's NHL expansion draft, TSN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gaunce, who was selected by the Canucks in the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft, has yet to make any big contributions in Vancouver and is coming off a 2016-17 campaign where he had just five points across 57 games. While he's still young at 22 years old and has time to develop further, his slow start to his NHL career was likely a big factor in the Canucks allowing him to go unprotected. Gaunce is also coming off offseason surgery to correct a torn labrum in his left shoulder, which certainly doesn't add any intrigue for Vegas to select him.

Gaunce dealt with a torn labrum in his left shoulder towards the end of the season that will require offseason surgery to repair, Jon Abbott of TSN 1040 reports.

EDGE Analysis

We now know the exact ailment that caused Gaunce to miss the final 15 games of the Canucks' season and it remains to be seen how long rehabilitation from the surgery will keep him sidelined. Overall, it was a disappointing sophomore campaign for Gaunce, who managed no goals and five assists while averaging 9:29 of ice time in 57 games. Assuming he's totally healthy at the start of the 2017-18 campaign, he'll begin the quest to cut out a bigger role for himself.

Gaunce (undisclosed) had a disappointing practice Thursday and remains day-to-day, likely ruling him out for Friday's contest against the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

Gaunce's mystery ailment is likely to keep him out for a 10th consecutive game, though it's quite possible that most fantasy owners haven't noticed. The 23-year-old has notched just one assist in the last 27 games he's play, so he's not worthy of consideration in basically any format.

Gaunce (undisclosed) will remain back in Vancouver, making him unavailable for the Canucks next four games.

EDGE Analysis

At best, Gaunce will have seven more opportunities to tally his first goal of the season once Vancouver return to Rogers Arena on March 28. The winger has nearly tripled the amount of games he played in this season, but is still averaging less than 10 minutes per game and will continue to be a low-end fantasy option until he can secure more regular ice time.

Gaunce will be out for around a week due to an undisclosed injury he sustained during Thursday night's game against the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

While the area of the injury itself is unknown at this point, Gaunce appeared to get hurt late in the first period Thursday when Nikolay Kulemin knocked Gaunce over and he slid hard into the boards. The 22-year-old was able to grit his way through the rest of the game. Regardless, he has no points since being recalled in mid-February, so he's not on the fantasy radar anyway.

Gaunce was called back up to the Canucks on Monday, John Shannon of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gaunce had spent the entirety of the season in the NHL prior to being sent down to AHL Utica on Feb. 6. It wasn't a surprise to see him demoted, as the 2012 first-rounder only compiled a disappointing five points in 47 games with the big club, but he's nonetheless back to provide insurance in case Bo Horvat (leg) can't play Tuesday against the Penguins.

Gaunce was reassigned to AHL Utica on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The 2012 first-round pick had spent the entire 2016-17 campaign with Vancouver, going goalless with five assists in 47 games. The Canucks will be hoping that Gaunce rediscovers his offensive touch in the minors, where he tallied 38 points in 46 games last season.

Gaunce has no goals and just four assists with a minus-1 through 45 games.

EDGE Analysis

Gaunce has obviously struggled offensively, but he has a 50.4 faceoff-win percentage. The youngster has also delivered 68 hits to help fantasy owners in pools with extremely deep rosters.

After Gaunce (undisclosed) took part in morning skate Saturday, he told reporters that he's hoping to play in the evening's contest against the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

It's not clear what kind of ailment Gaunce has picked up, but the first-round pick of the 2012 draft hasn't been playing meaningful minutes anyway -- the 22-year-old is averaging 9:36 of ice time through eight games this season. The Canucks will shed light on his status closer to puck drop Saturday.

Gaunce has appeared in all seven of Vancouver's games, however he is only seeing an average of 9:44 of ice time per game.

EDGE Analysis

The 22-year-old just isn't seeing enough ice time to be considered a viable fantasy option in most formats at this point. Last season, Gaunce spent the majority of his time at AHL Utica, where he netted 17 goals and helped out on 21 more. In 20 games with Vancouver, the center lit the lamp just once.