The Canuck Way
Fansided

Vancouver Canucks 2016-17 Roster Outlook

By Janik Beichler|
Mar 7, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Radim Vrbata (17) celebrates with the Vancouver Canucks bench after scoring a goal during the first period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Radim Vrbata (17) celebrates with the Vancouver Canucks bench after scoring a goal during the first period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
4 of 7

Left Wingers

Expiring contracts: 

Players re-signed: 

  • Sven Baertschi

With a healthy roster, life wouldn’t be half bad for the Canucks. However, there is work to be done on every position.

The Canucks will finally get Brandon Prust off the books. He is unwanted on the roster right now, nobody was willing to trade for him at the deadline, and the odds of Vancouver re-signing him are close to zero.

Then there is Vancouver’s very own “Latvian Locomotive.” Ronalds Kenins had a stellar rookie year in North America: after coming from Europe, he only played in 36 AHL contests before making the jump to the world’s best league. There, he appeared in 30 regular season and five playoff games.

In 2015-16, however, he looked like a totally different player during the six games he got to spend with the Canucks. Benning then put him on his public trade block and the Latvian has clearly fallen out of favour with the Canucks. Rumours of him returning to Switzerland have already emerged. Whatever happens, he does not seem to have a place in Benning’s plans.

Related: Ronalds Kenins Leaving Utica?

Sven Baertschi is the final free agent, and he will obviously be re-signed. More than that: Baertschi has become the Canucks’ clear-cut No. 2 on the left wing behind veteran Daniel Sedin. However, that may change next season.

If any of the rumours are true and Benning is indeed interested in signing unrestricted free agent Milan Lucic of the Los Angeles Kings, Lucic would instantly become the new No. 2 on the depth chart. Lucic loves LA, LA loves him, but the salary cap might not allow the Kings to re-sign him. Tough for them, good for Vancouver.

If Lucic comes home, the Canucks would have a more than solid left wing of Sedin, Lucic, Baertschi and Alexandre Burrows. If not, Brendan Gaunce could get a chance to start the season in Vancouver — and even Chris Higgins will get another chance to prove his worth in training camp.

Possible depth chart:

  1. Daniel Sedin
  2. Sven Baertschi
  3. Alex Burrows
  4. Brendan Gaunce
  5. Chris Higgins

Next: Right Wingers

Home/Canucks News