Goaltenders
Expiring contracts:
- Joe Cannata — RFA
Utica Comets goaltender Joe Cannata is the only expiring contract at the goaltender position. The 26-year-old has been splitting the season with Richard Bachman.
Whether he will be re-signed depends on whether the Canucks can get Thatcher Demko under contract for next season, among other factors. Either way, he is unlikely to see any NHL time — ever.
Related: Benning Expects Demko to Turn Pro
With starter Ryan Miller and backup Jacob Markstrom, the Canucks are set for the upcoming season. The duo has been putting up nearly identical numbers, with goals-against averages of 2.66 and 2.65, respectively, along with save percentages of .915 and .914, respectively.
Miller’s experience and his $6 million cap hit will likely make him the No. 1 goalie again next season. However, Markstrom should get a few more starts than this year, possibly getting the same number of starts as Miller.
In related and certainly exciting news, Benning expects Demko to turn pro in the summer. If that were the case, Demko would start the season in Utica, but might get a first sniff of NHL action in case of an injury.
Possible depth chart:
- Ryan Miller
- Jacob Markstrom
- Thatcher Demko
Next: Defencemen