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Vancouver Canucks: 5 European UFA Skaters to Target

By Janik Beichler

May 9, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; A view of a net and pucks on the ice during warmups prior to the game of the San Jose Sharks against the Nashville Predators in game six of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; A view of a net and pucks on the ice during warmups prior to the game of the San Jose Sharks against the Nashville Predators in game six of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 9, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; A view of a net and pucks on the ice during warmups prior to the game of the San Jose Sharks against the Nashville Predators in game six of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

The Vancouver Canucks need to stock up on prospects, but the NHL draft won’t be enough.

The most essential part of a rebuild is without a doubt the acquisition of prospects. In an attempt to collect as many as possible, most franchises start to stock up on draft picks early. The Vancouver Canucks, however, dealt several draft picks away for immediate help in the playoff race, and kept veterans until free agency.

Those moves are starting to backfire.

Luckily, the NHL draft is not the only way to acquire young, talented players. The NCAA, CHL and European pro leagues all have some undrafted prospects.

In the summer of 2016, the Canucks added undrafted free agents Troy Stecher from the University of North Dakota and Michael Carcone of the QMJHL Drummondville Voltigeurs, among others. This year, they have already signed CHL free agents Jalen Chatfield and Zack MacEwen.

As the different paths of Stecher and Carcone are showing, signings like these don’t guarantee success. But, in the organisation’s current situation, they are certainly worth their contract spots.

So, let’s take a look at five European skaters the Canucks could target this summer. Most of them still have valid contracts in Europe, but they usually have out-clauses in case of North American offers — or have ways to simply terminate their deals.

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