Vancouver Canucks: Room for Dan Hamhuis?

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis has been an important part of the franchise for many years. Is there room for him to stay?

The Vancouver Canucks’ defence is all but set for the upcoming 2016-17 campaign. Unfortunately, it seems like there won’t be any room left for long-time leader Dan Hamhuis, who spent the past six years with the franchise.

Everyone expected and kind of wanted Hamhuis to be dealt at the 2016 trade deadline. Even those who want him to stay past this season thought it would be nice to get a good return for him, have him win a Stanley Cup — or at least compete for one — and then re-sign with the Canucks in free agency. In other words, pull an Antoine Vermette.

Today we know that Hamhuis did provide a list of teams he would agree to be traded to and GM Jim Benning did try to work out a trade. However, the Dallas Stars opted for Kris Russell while the Chicago Blackhawks went with Christian Ehrhoff.

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Now that Vancouver certainly won’t get anything in return for Hamhuis, they might as well re-sign him. The 33-year-old is still a good top-six D-man who loves the city, loves the franchise, and is a great mentor to the younger players.

The problem with that is roster space.

Late last season, the Vancouver Canucks brought in 2014 draft pick Nikita Tryamkin from the Russian KHL. In addition, they traded for former Edmonton Oiler Philip Larsen who is currently active in the KHL as well. He was acquired for a conditional fifth-round pick, the condition likely being that Larsen comes back to North America. Jim Benning seemed confident about getting him to Vancouver.

The KHL duo joins a D-group that includes NHL defensemen Chris Tanev, Alexander Edler, Ben Hutton and Luca Sbisa as well as waiver-eligible restricted free agent Andrey Pedan and Alex Biega, who just signed a new one-way contract. Chances are that Larsen will only come over for a one-way deal as well.

All eight of those players will be looking to get lots of playing time in the NHL next season. Plus, neither one of them will be easy or cheap to move down to the American Hockey League’s Utica Comets.

Speaking of the Comets, Vancouver recently signed NCAA prospect D-man Troy Stecher to an entry-level contract. Stecher will likely start the season in Utica but don’t be surprised if he makes his NHL debut halfway into the season.

Read: What Signing D Troy Stecher Means

With that, the Canucks’ depth chart without Dan Hamhuis could look like the following:

Left – Right:
Edler – Tanev
Hutton – Biega
Tryamkin – Larsen
Sbisa – Stecher
Pedan

In reality, Sbisa or Tryamkin will likely fill a top-four role. The other will be on the third pairing with one of Biega, Larsen and Pedan, with Stecher starting the season in Utica.

Though Edler, Tanev, Hutton and Tryamkin are technically a solid top four, adding Hamhuis to that group for another year or two (or even three) would certainly be helpful. He is a veteran who can provide leadership to the younger players, and is still a better player than Sbisa, Pedan, Biega or Larsen.

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However, as mentioned above, the eight defensemen or are currently signed or set to sign, will all be waiver-eligible and/or on one-way contracts.

If the Canucks are fine with waiving and possibly losing Pedan, Biega or Larsen, or paying them an NHL salary in the AHL, they can go that route and sign Hamhuis. If not, there simply isn’t any room for him.

Even without Hamhuis, the Canucks will likely send one of the listed players to the AHL to carry just seven defensemen. But that’s not enough to add Hamhuis back to the mix.

Last but not least, there is still some time before free agency starts on July 1 and the Canucks might be able to find a way to trade Luca Sbisa, who is currently one of the most overpaid defensemen in the league. Then again, Sbisa is one of the most overpaid defensemen in the league and everyone knows that. Who would want him on their roster?

Next: Dan Hamhuis Season in Review

Re-signing Hamhuis would be huge for Vancouver. I believe he is still an extremely important part of the team and would continue to be that next season.

Therefore, Jim Benning should do anything he can to sign him and make room for him in the top six. If Sbisa, Pedan, Biega and Larsen form half of the team’s defense next year, it could be another very sad season.