OMAHA, Neb. -- To put it mildly, it's been a season to forget for Marc Chouinard.
After signing a two-year, $2.2 million deal with the Vancouver Canucks in the off-season, Chouinard was one of the few players brought in by general manager Dave Nonis that didn't really work out.
Chouinard got in the bad books of head coach Alain Vigneault early and rarely found his way out of the doghouse.
When the NHL trade deadline came and went, Chouinard was placed on waivers and sent to the Manitoba Moose to clear some salary cap space.
SHOWED FLASHES
Chouinard reported to Manitoba and said all the right things. Then when he got into game action, he showed flashes of the Minnesota Wild forward who earned the big contract.
But Chouinard was injured just eight games into his stay with the Moose. A hit from Grand Rapids Griffins forward Ben Simon left Chouinard on the sidelines for four games.
"These things happen," said Chouinard. "It's not something you want and it's certainly not something you plan, but you go through it."
Chouinard was asked if he hoped to salvage a frustrating season with a strong stretch run and playoff drive?
"I try not to look at it that way," said Chouinard. "Every time I go out there, I try to do my best. If you do your best all the time, good things are bound to happen."
Understandably, Chouinard showed some rust on Sunday when he returned to action against the Iowa Stars. However, the lanky centre has shown a little more jump in his step the past few days as head coach Scott Arniel had him paired with Brandon Reid and youngster Mason Raymond.
"Obviously, I want to be a reliable guy that is sound on defence," said Chouinard, who has one goal and two points in nine AHL games this season.
"But if you get a chance to play with guys like Brandon and Mason, it's something good. I'll try to get them the puck when they're ahead and maybe get a few points here and there."
Chouinard has been used primarily with checking-line players so far, but with the Moose struggling to score goals, Arniel is shaking things up a bit.
"I expect everyone here to contribute offensively and I want him to be part of it as well," said Arniel. "This gets him with some offensive people and hopefully they can create some things as well."
