Canucks summon exiled Higgins

After being placed on the trade market via press release, waived, and then banished to the American Hockey League, Chris Higgins is on his way back to the NHL.

The Vancouver Canucks recalled Higgins on Saturday, momentarily ending the veteran forward's two-month stint with the AHL's Utica Comets.

Higgins scored nine goals and added four assists in 22 games with Utica after laboring through 25 games with the Canucks.

Vancouver tried, unsuccessfully, to deal the 32-year-old winger at the trade deadline. There were ultimately no takers for the three-time 20-goal scorer, who tallied three points before his demotion and has another season at $2.5 million on his contract.

Higgins is expected to fill in for Radim Vrbata, who's out with a lower-body injury.