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Vancouver Canucks Free Agency: Top 5 Left Wingers to Target

By David Joun

Apr 23, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andrew Ladd (16) with the puck during the first period in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andrew Ladd (16) with the puck during the first period in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andrew Ladd (16) with the puck during the first period in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Look at how much cash the Vancouver Canucks have for spending this offseason.

The Vancouver Canucks promised this hockey-voracious city a busy offseason highlighted by the potential of the NHL Entry Draft and the influx of youth as the veterans vacate the lineup one by one. The future will be brighter this offseason, undoubtedly.

But why wait for the future if one can win right now?

That is the question that the Canucks will address when NHL-proven players hit the open market on July 1st. GM Jim Benning is ready for the occasion. 82 games removed from a disappointing offseason highlighted by the exit of Zack Kassian and Nick Bonino, the Vancouver GM is ready to spend.

Benning is ready. Are you?

Here at The Canuck Way, we are going to prepare you for the big day, the Free Agent Frenzy by analysing the top free agents the Canucks could sign to bolster the roster and win while growing a new core through the draft.

Kicking off the series here is a look into the top left wingers who might be available come July!

What the Canucks Need

What the Canucks need on the left wing is either the first-line replacement for Daniel Sedin and a middle-six do-it-all to replace Alex Burrows. It also does not help that the Canucks have virtually no prospects to the left after Brendan Gaunce.

Depth Chart (2016-17 ~ RFA + $17 million)

  1. Daniel Sedin (2 years, $7 million AAV)
  2. Sven Baertschi (RFA)
  3. Derek Dorsett (3 years, $2.65 million AAV)
  4. Alex Burrows (1 year, $4.5 million)
  5. Brendan Gaunce (1 year, ELC)
  6. Chris Higgins (1 year, $2.5 million, buried)

The lineup is quite crowded down the left, however, when all is said and done. Brendan Sutter, Jared McCann, and Markus Granlund all have seen time on the left side, making the position one of quantity and not of quality for the Canucks.

So what is out there for the Canucks? Here are the top five left wing options available to the Canucks at this year’s free agency!

Next: No. 5: JAMIE MCGINN

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