Vancouver Canucks: Peter Schaefer Waived, Replaced By Jeff Tambellini *Updated

*Update: It has been announced that Jeff Tambellini is the one being called up. See the comments below for the new look lines.

As reported by Sportsnet, Peter Schaefer has been placed on waivers. That itself isn't a surprise, as he hasn't been that effective.

The real question is what does this mean for the forward lines? Depending on who is called up, the lines could stay intact, or this could be the harbinger of a complete overhaul of the forward lines in an attempt to bust out of the Canucks' current slump.

Schaefer was a fourth liner, so the obvious move would be to replace him with a more physical presence. Its possible that this was a move to clear a roster spot for Alex Bolduc or Guillaume Desbiens, although they are supposed to need more time to recover from their injuries. Victor Oreskovich is a possible call up from the Manitoba Moose, and he definitely brings size at 6'3" 225 lbs.

The more intriguing possibility is that GM Mike Gillis is looking to shakeup more than just the fourth line.

Possible candidates to be called up from the Manitoba Moose to play a role on the top lines for the Canucks include: Cody Hodgson, Sergei Shirokov and Jeff Tambellini.

Cody Hodgson got off to a slow start, but has been tearing it up in the AHL, posting eight goals and five assists for 13 points, good enough to tie for the most points with the Moose.

Sergei Shirokov got bad reviews in training camp for being out of shape, but he has rounded into form nicely on the Moose, matching Hodgson's 13 points with five goals and eight assists of his own.

Jeff Tambellini was with the Canucks earlier and had decent chemistry with the Sedin twins, but since being returned to the Moose he has been a point a game player, with five goals and two assists in seven games.

Other candidates to fill a skill role with the Canucks include Jordan Schroeder (three goals, seven assists) and Bill Sweatt (four goals, six assists), although I would consider them an outside chance at best.

If one of these skilled players is brought up it won't be to play a couple minutes on the fourth line.

So who would be demoted from the current top lines?

My guess is Mikael Samuelsson, who despite having a couple goals recently, is really slumping and looking out of place.

My suggestion would be to drop Samuelsson to the third line, taking a winger spot away from either Jannik Hansen or Raffi Torres, and drop the displaced winger to the fourth line in place of Schaefer. Samuelsson can play a third line role (it was his role in Detroit) and he'll have a pair of solid vets beside him. Besides, I want to see some set plays with Malhotra off the faceoff to Samuelsson for the one timer.

Either Hansen or Torres would be a good compliment to Tanner Glass, giving the Canucks a pair of physical, forechecking wingers on the fourth line, rather than just Glass in that role.

Then the Canucks could insert the call up player into the top two lines in an attempt to spark the suddenly dormant offense.

If it is Tambellini, play him with the twins and leave the Burrows/Raymond/Kesler line intact. 

If it is Shirokov or Hodgson, bump Burrows back up with the twins, and put the newcomer on the second line with Kesler and Raymond. The problem with the second line as it stands right now is that there isn't a real playmaker on that line. Samuelsson was a shooter, Kesler and Raymond are fast two way guys who drive the net to create offense. They need a playmaker who can make passes to give more offensive options on that lines.

Of course, there is another option.

Considered unthinkable in Vancouver (at least in years past), could the Canucks break up the Sedin twins? Consider that Henrik played better when Daniel was hurt last year, shooting more and scoring instead of passing.

Maybe Henrik centering Burrows and Raymond on the top line, and Daniel patrolling the left wing alongside Kesler and Hodgson (or Tambellini, etc) would be a big enough change to spark the offense?

Either way, it looks like change is coming the Canucks, and given the slump, it can't come soon enough.