Vancouver Canucks Free Agency: Top 20 Players to Target
By David Joun
Free agency is upon us and the Vancouver Canucks are set to make a splash.
Canada Day, otherwise better known as NHL free agent frenzy day, has been both a treat and a curse for the Vancouver Canucks recently. Radim Vrbata, now set to leave as a UFA, came to this organization on a deal that most criticized at the time of the signing but now lauds as an opportunistic grab by GM Jim Benning.
On the other hand, Yannick Weber and Matt Bartkowski are both being shown the door after being signed for one year each. For some reason, free agency resonates with most Canucks fans as “the day Jim Benning lets hockey players have his bank account”.
Well, this year won’t be much different. In fact, Jim Benning is ever so close to just cashing in almost all of the $9.2 million cap space he has. What is he going to get?
A 20+ goal scorer and a versatile two-way forward.
Vancouver took another step in securing that all-so-important cap space by buying out Chris Higgins and shutting the door on Dan Hamhuis today.
Before we jump into the top 20 players who could be the best fits for the Canucks, here are the latest about the Canucks from Twitter:
Adam Cracknell back in Vancouver?
I would love it for Adam Cracknell to be back with the Canucks. He is a great depth option, and especially if he were to lead a group of depleted Comets forwards in Utica with the Canucks’ AHL affiliate, there is nothing more I can hope for. He has a wicked wrister that is underrated. Great character, great grit.
The Weisbrod Factor: CGY players
Although small names, Jooris is an un-qualified RFA power forward who is a versatile bottom-six forward. His physicality will be very welcomed.
Corban Knight is described as an energy player who loves to hit using his 6-foot-2 frame. A B.C. native, the 25-year-old two-way forward is a versatile option for the Canucks.
A Plan-B: Benning likes Gagner?
I guess Jim Benning is being realistic and looking at his past history of “recuperating” players. Gagner could be a steal, but I wouldn’t spend anything above $3.5 million for him.
Honorable Mention
92. . Defense. 25, $3.2 million. Justin Schultz. 21. player
After finding his game playing sheltered minutes in the Stanley Cup Playoff with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the former Edmonton Oiler is hitting the open market after not being qualified by the Penguins. Though not being able to play the do-it-all top pairing role for the Oilers, the NHL has rediscovered Schultz’s defensive capabilities that could decently handle top-six minutes during the intense, fast-paced playoffs.
A decent fit for him could be on the pairing with Nikita Tryamkin or Luca Sbisa but the way things are shaping up with Hamhuis having to leave, an addition on the Canucks’ blueline seems unlikely.
Let’s get to the top 20 players who would be the best fit for Vancouver!
Next: #20 - #17