Nolan Baumgartner.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

VANCOUVER -- Defenceman Nolan Baumgartner has been called up by the ailing Vancouver Canucks to fill in for Sami Salo.

Baumgartner has played 131 games in the NHL but none since the 2006-07 season. The 33-year-old was playing with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.

Salo hurt his groin during Thursday night's 4-3 win over the Dallas Stars, joining defenders Willie Mitchell (upper body) and Kevin Bieksa (lacerated ankle tendons) on the shelf.

Salo and Mitchell are both expected to miss Saturday's game against Chicago.

Vancouver does have 40-year-old veteran Mathieu Schneider, who signed a bonus-laden US$1.55-million contract during the summer. He's been playing in the minors after a falling out with the Canucks over ice time and his role with the team.