Vancouver Canucks Free Agency: Top 5 Left Wingers to Target
Look at how much cash the Vancouver Canucks have for spending this offseason.
The Vancouver Canucks promised this hockey-voracious city a busy offseason highlighted by the potential of the NHL Entry Draft and the influx of youth as the veterans vacate the lineup one by one. The future will be brighter this offseason, undoubtedly.
But why wait for the future if one can win right now?
That is the question that the Canucks will address when NHL-proven players hit the open market on July 1st. GM Jim Benning is ready for the occasion. 82 games removed from a disappointing offseason highlighted by the exit of Zack Kassian and Nick Bonino, the Vancouver GM is ready to spend.
Benning is ready. Are you?
Here at The Canuck Way, we are going to prepare you for the big day, the Free Agent Frenzy by analysing the top free agents the Canucks could sign to bolster the roster and win while growing a new core through the draft.
Kicking off the series here is a look into the top left wingers who might be available come July!
What the Canucks Need
What the Canucks need on the left wing is either the first-line replacement for Daniel Sedin and a middle-six do-it-all to replace Alex Burrows. It also does not help that the Canucks have virtually no prospects to the left after Brendan Gaunce.
Depth Chart (2016-17 ~ RFA + $17 million)
- Daniel Sedin (2 years, $7 million AAV)
- Sven Baertschi (RFA)
- Derek Dorsett (3 years, $2.65 million AAV)
- Alex Burrows (1 year, $4.5 million)
- Brendan Gaunce (1 year, ELC)
- Chris Higgins (1 year, $2.5 million, buried)
The lineup is quite crowded down the left, however, when all is said and done. Brendan Sutter, Jared McCann, and Markus Granlund all have seen time on the left side, making the position one of quantity and not of quality for the Canucks.
So what is out there for the Canucks? Here are the top five left wing options available to the Canucks at this year’s free agency!
Next: No. 5: JAMIE MCGINN
No. 5: Jamie McGinn (ANA)
Although there is the probability that the Anaheim Ducks sign the Ontario-native to an extension, it is highly unlikely that both him and fellow left-winger UFA David Perron stay as Ducks. As the Ducks had to pay a handsome sum (Carl Hagelin) to acquire Perron this past season and resulted in a pretty good stint for both sides, I would think that McGinn is the odd one out.
Height / Weight: 6-foot-1, 210 lbs
Age: 27
2015-16 Stats: 84 GP — 22 Goals — 17 Assists — 39 Points
2015-16 Salary: $3 million
Expected UFA Salary: $3.3 million
The biggest strengths in McGinn’s game is speed, strength, and his work ethic in the defensive zone. Although not the most complete offensive player, he is a streaky scorer who will be able to produce at the biggest moments.
Do not be fooled by his rather modest minus-10 rating and the total of 39 points in 84 games this past season. He played 63 games for a struggling Buffalo Sabres team and 21 for an Anaheim Ducks team who continued their scoring struggles throughout the season.
GM Jim Benning will like the size and the speed that McGinn would bring to the lineup, but there is one catch — inconsistency. Although just entering the prime of his career at 27 years of age, McGinn has a history of inconsistency.
I would imagine McGinn to be a Brandon Sutter-like player for the Canucks. A large frame, good speed, decent scoring touch, and a sound defensive game perhaps marred by consistency. And hence, if the Canucks were to support Sven Baertschi (who should definitely be in negotiations to get re-signed) with a McGinn behind him in the depth charts, I would imagine that McGinn plays a 2B/3A role that Sutter is.
Proposed line
J. McGinn – B. Sutter – A. Rodin
This line brings two speedy, defensively sound players with scoring and playmaking ability to the left of a high-profile and perhaps undersized Anton Rodin, a true scorer who has signed a one-year deal with the Canucks in view of the 2016-17 season. The two should alleviate the defensive pressure and let Rodin score as he usually does. A big vote of confidence on Sutter’s consistency here.
Next: No. 4: MATT MARTIN
No. 4: Matt Martin (NYI)
Again, there is realistic chance that the New York Islanders bring back the high-profile fourth liner to the Barclays Centre on an extension. But what effect will the 2016 Playoffs have on his stock? The Islanders have a few other names heading to free agency (Kyle Okposo, Franz Nielsen) and the grinder Martin may be available for the taking.
Height / Weight: 6-foot-3, 215 lbs
Age: 26
2015-16 Stats: 80 GP — 10 Goals — 9 Assists — 19 Points
2015-16 Salary: $1 million
Expected UFA Salary: $1.5 million
The strengths in Martin’s game are quite obvious. He is a body checking machine who can score opportune goals for his club even at the bottom-line level. He lead the league in hits this season with 365 in 80 games. He still managed to stay low in the PIM department, especially in view of what the Canucks have in Derek Dorsett.
While Dorsett is nowhere near where Martin is in the hitting game, Dorsett led the league in penalty minutes (177) while Martin finished the year with 119. The Canucks lost grit and fire when Brandon Prust went down during the season. Could Martin be a good replacement?
The one knock on his chances of getting signed by the Canucks is his apparent lack of defensive prowess. The Canucks want their entire lineup defending and killing penalties, and Martin will not be an asset in that sense. The pricetag will be an issue, too, as the Canucks have already committed heavily to Dorsett.
Mind you, former Canuck Keith Ballard had his career ended by Martin with this crushing hit that unfortunately resulted in contact against the stanchion.
But what if Emerson Etem becomes a trade bait and a spot is available on the bottom line? Here is what a fourth line would look like with Martin in the mix:
Proposed line
M. Martin – B. Gaunce – D. Dorsett
A definite force to be reckoned with. Brendan Gaunce will be able to play the defensive coverage with Dorsett should Martin’s game not translate 100 percent to Benning’s two-way model. Mind you, Martin is still young!
Next: No. 3: VIKTOR STALBERG
No. 3: Viktor Stalberg (NYR)
Another player from New York! Viktor Stalberg may be the most complete replacement for Alex Burrows who is available in this year’s free agency. With the Rangers looking retain Keith Yandle and perhaps make more changes after a disappointing postseason, Stalberg could end up in the open market depending on how negotiations with the Rangers go.
Height / Weight: 6-foot-3, 210 lbs
Age: 30
2015-16 Stats: 75 GP — 9 Goals — 11 Assists — 20 Points
2015-16 Salary: $1.1 million
Expected UFA Salary: $2.2 million
What Stalberg could bring to Vancouver is size, speed, bottom-six defensive consistency, and leadership. This is perfect for a growing Canucks team who is already reaping dividends from a speedy winger named Jannik Hansen. Although Stalberg really fell off the radar in the NHL two years ago, he may still be a cost-friendly option to play any of the wings in the bottom six. He did well in New York this past year.
Especially if Burrows is relieved of his duties as a Canuck, Stalberg would be a good presence as a defensively reliable winger. A Burrows-for-Stalberg swap would be a loss in on-ice character but an addition of speed, size, and offense.
Again, just like McGinn, Stalberg can be inconsistent. His size, though appreciable, is underused. If he can revive his career with the Canucks after stabilizing it with the Rangers this past year, he could be an inexpensive steal. He has shown character in rebounding with the Rangers after being cut by the Nashville Predators two years ago. He is a winner, too, something that the Canucks could put value in come July.
You can see his reach and his speed in that video. Did I mention that he is a Swede? Why can’t our Swedes do that?
Proposed Line
V. Stalberg – B. Sutter – E. Etem
This line is a wild card for the Canucks. Speed, size, and scoring is all sprinkled into what would be a third line that could be one of the fastest the Canucks have ever had. Stalberg most likely plays a plug-and-play role for the Canucks, though, with his right-left dual wing versatility.
Next: No. 2: MILAN LUCIC
No. 2. Milan Lucic (L.A.)
And here he is, the most storied free agent left winger who, quite frankly, does not sound like he wants to hit free agency or play for any team other than the Los Angeles Kings. But what if Daryl Sutter does not return behind the bench for the Kings? What if the Kings would rather sign quantity than quality?
The Kings do have a bit of salvaging to do on the blueline with Brayden McNabb, Jamie McBain, and Luke Schenn all becoming free agents in the summer. The Canucks? They wouldn’t mind the former Vancouver Giant to return home.
Height / Weight: 6-foot-3, 235 lbs
Age: 27
2015-16 Stats: 81 GP — 20 Goals — 35 Assists — 55 Points
2015-16 Salary: $6.5 million
Expected UFA Salary: $7 million
Lucic is the complete package that GM Jim Benning wants. Lucic brings timely scoring with size, physicality, strength, and the Burrows-like character to the ice, and there were words out of the Kings locker room that the 27-year-old was growing into a leader in the room.
As a former Boston Bruin, Lucic has always been linked with the Canucks and the other former-Bruin, now-GM Benning. Lucic would be that meat-and-potato power forward that the Canucks have been lacking for the past handful of years.
Lucic did start the year saying that he would like to become a Canuck sooner rather than later if the opportunity appears. Now that a full season as a King is under his belt, he seems to be all too engrossed in the winning atmosphere to be looking to free agency.
The question is, then, why are the Kings not signing the forward to a mega-deal yet?
If Lucic were to come to Vancouver, though, it becomes a bit of a line-juggling for Willie Desjardins. Is it worth keeping him on the second line at +$7 million per year? Would he be content with playing to the left of Bo Horvat or Brandon Sutter and not Henrik Sedin?
Does his game even translate to a Sedin-style offense? Do the Canucks want to pull Daniel or Lucic to the off-wing to make a Sedin-Lucic line? Is a “right to play with the Sedins” going to be a contract condition for Lucic? Would he even want to come to a retooling team?
Because of these questions, I am dropping Lucic down to the number two spot on this list. While he certainly is the biggest fish down the left side, the Canucks may want to look past this enticing mix of size and skill for the sake of money and the on-ice reality when all is said and done.
Next: No. 1: ANDREW LADD
No. 1: Andrew Ladd (CHI)
Well, only another hometown player can top Milan Lucic on a Canucks free agent watch. Enter Maple Ridge native and former Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd. I do not know what the Chicago Blackhawks were thinking when they acquired the veteran winger, but here he is as one of the top available free agents in 2016.
Height / Weight: 6-foot-3, 200 lbs
Age: 30
2015-16 Stats: 78 GP — 25 Goals — 21 Assists — 46 Points
2015-16 Salary: $4.5 million
Expected UFA Salary: $5.3 million
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Ladd is the perfect leader who can do more than just displace Alex Burrows’s role in the locker room. The ten-year veteran did hint that he could take a discount to stay in Chicago, but the same could apply to Vancouver, where he played his junior days. Not quite the top-line scorer that he had to be on the Jets lineup, the Canucks could very well use his services on the second line.
Ladd on the second line would give the Canucks speed, physicality, and scoring. Do I dare deem Ladd as the poor man’s Lucic? Yes. Yes, I do. And all-around player for the Canucks with good leadership qualities? That sounds like an Alex Burrows on steroids.
The only knock on Ladd is inconsistency — as a top-line forward. As a second-line option, Ladd would be just fine. Just fine.
The Blackhawks would most likely extend their key RFA Andrew Shaw and Richard Panik. I find it difficult to imagine how they would contain Ladd’s contract without making subtraction over the offseason.
Proposed Line
A. Ladd – B. Horvat – A. Rodin
This line is likely the most dynamic offensive line that the Canucks could have. Having Ladd and Rodin there also allows Sutter to centre Jake Virtanen and Sven Baertschi, an intriguing combination that would see the centreman alleviating the defensive pressure from his offensively minded wingers.
I would rather have Andrew Ladd in the Canucks lineup to Horvat’s left than Milan Lucic at two more million dollars annually. End of story for me. But how about you?
The Round-Up: UFA LWs
This year’s free agent pool is very good. Size and speed are available and so are scorers who can play up and down the lineup. For a young Canucks team, leadership could also be a factor that determines whether GM Jim Benning spends or not.
It does not have to be a Milan Lucic. It doesn’t even have to be an Andrew Ladd. There could be steals weeks into July or even in August that could see the Canucks filling out the lineup. Also, there are many other NHL-calibre wingers available in the open market that did not make my list: Mikkel Boedker is one example.
But with Drake Caggiula apparently very close to signing and signing with the Canucks, Benning may not have to spend at all. He would very much be enough to round out the top-nine for the Canucks.
Next: Offseason Survival Guide: May Edition
Regardless of what the outcome is, the Canucks will have to be dynamic this offseason. The draft lottery storm has settled. The aftermath of the season is being settled. What we know is this, that this long offseason will probably end up feeling shorter than it really is.