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That’s where Leipsic started last season and could make an impact this fall, because he’s on an expiring contract and requires waivers if he can’t crack a bloated roster.

Leipsic was acquired from Las Vegas on Feb. 26 for Philp Holm and immediately teased of potential with speed and smarts two nights later at Rogers Arena. He had seven shots in his debut during a 6-5 overtime loss to the New York Rangers. He would also frustrate Canucks coach Travis Green — his junior mentor in Portland — with poor puck decisions during a 5-3 home-ice setback to San Jose on March 17 in which he failed to get to the point to properly block a key goal.

However, much like Derrick Pouliot — another Winterhawks junior schooled by Green who has yet to reach his potential — there is more intrigue than indifference in Leipsic.

He had three shots and nine attempts in that Sharks loss, including two late-game scoring chances. He logged a career-high 21:12 with seven regulars out of the lineup. He also got an earful from Green after failing to get the puck deep in the second period, which resulted in the Canucks getting pinned in their own zone.

“Sometimes you don’t make it on the scoresheet, even though you make some nice plays, but you’ve got to be reliable defensively,” Leipsic said at the time. “You want to be a reliable player, or you’re not going to last in the league too long.”

The Canucks will find it difficult to manufacture offence next season and that might be Leipsic’s ticket to stick. He had nine points (3-6) in 14 Canuck games after just 13 (2-11) in 44 games for the offensively stacked Golden Knights.