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Vancouver Canucks Free Agency: Top 5 Exposed RFAs to Target

By David Joun

Dec 27, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Joe Colborne (8) skates against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Joe Colborne (8) skates against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Joe Colborne (8) skates against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Vancouver Canucks have money to spend, but can money buy youth?

In attempts to get a head start on this year’s free agency, the Vancouver Canucks are being active in the negotiation period by calling many veteran forwards who could help them reach the salary cap ceiling. The $9.2 million in projected salary cap space will likely be used up by the time GM Jim Benning signs his identified targets — a 20+ goal scorer and a versatile two-way player.

But looking at the names he has called so far, there’s something missing. In Mikkel Boedker, the Canucks are looking for speed. In Andrew Ladd, Troy Brouwer, and Milan Lucic, they are looking for physicality. In Eriksson and Stamkos they are looking for a sniping linemate for the Sedins to play with.

But what happened to youth? The youngest player available in unrestricted free agency is 26, a figure that does not exactly spell “youth” in the modern NHL where most of the stars bloom by age 24 — Filip Forsberg is just 21 years old and he has gotten himself a $36 million.

July 1st is great for making an impact on the roster to win now. But who says that it can’t make your roster younger at the same time? Has Willie Desjardins’s usage of the rookies made us think that veteran presence results in a winning environment?

With quite a few restricted free agents not being qualified by their respective clubs, this year’s free agency will feature a group of younger-than-26 players who will be able to make any NHL roster that much better.

The Canucks have identified two areas of need. With about $9.2 million in cap space, Vancouver will attempt to sign a 20+ goal scorer as well as a versatile two-way player. My question is whether both can be fulfilled with a single player, especially now that Alex Burrows is staying and taking up cap space as well as a roster spot.

With Jim Benning’s knack for developing other teams’ forsaken players into a bonafide prospect, a few of the players on the “RFAs who did not receive a qualifying offer” are certain to perk his interest. Here are five of them who could be the best fits for the Canucks for the 2016-17 season.

Next: No. 5: JUSTIN SCHULTZ

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