A sweat-soaked Linus Karlsson took a pause for his cause Tuesday at Rogers Arena .

Following a lengthy practice, and an additional 30 minutes to keep honing his game long after teammates had departed the building, the congenial Vancouver Canucks right winger welcomed this reporter into his world. It’s one full of anticipation and considerable angst as a spare lineup part.

Nobody likes being good enough to be in the NHL but not playing.

It’s still early, but sitting out the first three games is testing Karlsson’s mettle. Centre Max Sasson has been recalled with rookie centre Braeden Cootes returned to Seattle of the WHL, and unless Canucks head coach Adam Foote makes another adjustment with back-to-back games Thursday and Friday to open a five-game road trip, the wait for Karlsson co

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