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Vancouver Canucks Free Agency: Top 6 Strategies to Use

By David Joun

Jan 7, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) controls the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Arizona Coyotes won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) controls the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Arizona Coyotes won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning announces Jake Virtanen (not pictured) as the number six overall pick to the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-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. Being 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 analyzing the top free agents the Canucks could sign to bolster the roster and win while growing a new core through the draft.

Having covered each position in depth, now it is the time to strategize our collection of free agents. HOW should the Canucks spend this July?

How the Canucks Look Without Free Agents

Before we look to add, let us look at what the Canucks have to begin with. Here is the projected depth chart for September.

As advertised coming into the offseason, the Canucks are going to look for an established top-six scorer. Although Anton Rodin could turn out to be a 40-point guy and earn himself a spot with the Sedins, scoring is unproven and flimsy at best for the Canucks. The back end didn’t help, either. The Canucks need scoring help up front and on the blueline.

Although the back end is getting an upgrade with the addition of Erik Gudbranson, the forwards are quite something else. There are only a handful of guys who are known for their size and grit. Three, in fact, with one player in each position. Jake Virtanen to the right, Derek Dorsett to the left, and Brandon Sutter down the middle. The Canucks need size and power up front.

With the aging Sedins up front and a rather bulky bunch on the blueline, the Canucks need speed to adapt to the new NHL. I would think that the defense needs more speed than the forwards do. The Canucks need speed on the blueline.

The Canucks have not too many players who can make the jump to the NHL next season. But in this day and age, the power and energy in youth seem to be key to success. With the Canucks wanting to retool and rebuild, they need to obtain proven youth. The Canucks need proven youth in their mid 20’s.

So with these needs identified, let’s see what the Canucks can do on July 1st.

Next: YOUTH: High Risk, High Reward

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