Vancouver Canucks Free Agency: Top 5 Right 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.

What the Canucks Need

What the Canucks need on the right wing for the short term is a great scoring right winger for the Sedin Twins to play with, now that the Radim Vrbata experiment has come to an end. Otherwise, the only potential need down the right may be depth and grit that was lost with the injury to Brandon Prust. The uncertain status of RFA Emerson Etem also underlines that need for depth.

A note of clarification here — Derek Dorsett ended up playing left wing to end the season, and that is the only reason I referred to Prust as a right winger in the previous paragraph. Prust is a natural left winger.

Depth Chart (2016-17 ~ TWO RFAs + $4.5 million)

1. Jannik Hansen (2 years, $2.5 million AAV)
2. Anton Rodin (1 year, $0.95 million AAV)
3. Jake Virtanen (2 years, ELC)
4. Emerson Etem (RFA)
5. Alex Grenier (RFA)

Although the lineup is not as crowded down the right as it is to the left, the pieces are solid. Hansen has made himself a big, versatile piece in Vancouver while Jake Virtanen projects to progress after a rookie season of two tales. Key addition and X-Factor is Anton Rodin, the returning Canuck property who (essentially) had to conquer Sweden’s HL to prove himself worthy of a second shot at the NHL.

With a couple of young RFAs that need to be signed, the right wing position is one that Canucks could choose to address in free agency. However, with top prospect Brock Boeser ready to jump to the pro ranks in short order, be surprised if the Canucks sign a non-elite, top-six calibre winger to a long-term deal.

So what is out there for the Canucks? Here are the top five right wing options available to the Canucks at this year’s free agency!

Next: No. 5: DALE WEISE

No.5: DALE WEISE

After a disappointing end to the season as one of the fringe players on the Chicago Blackhawks roster, the former Canuck and former Montreal Canadien will test free agency this offseason. This last season saw him start as one of the league’s leading scorers that really sparked the Canadiens early on. With the Blackhawks obviously looking to make cuts to stay under the cap, what has Weise got for a potential return to Van City?

Height / Weight: 6-foot-2, 205 lbs
Age: 27
2015-16 Stats: 71 GP — 14 Goals — 13 Assists — 27 Points
2015-16 Salary: $1.025 million
Expected UFA Salary: $2.0 million

A familiar face in Vancouver, Dale Weise brings the forecheck to life while his ability to stand up for his teammates in tough situations would definitely fill the void that Brandon Prust has left behind. He can really bring it to the opposition defenders when he is in the game, and he seems to have improved his play and effort level while being in the Montreal locker room.

The biggest concern for Weise would be the inconsistency in goal scoring. If Weise were to come to Vancouver, he would be a solid fit at the 4RW slot. Willie Desjardins would not be concerned with goal scoring from Weise in that role, but the inconsistency is worth taking note of.

Last year in October alone, Weise put up six goals and two assists, including a hat trick against the Calgary Flames. November saw him record three goals and three assists. In the final 30 games of the season, however, Weise scored just three goals and four assists.

Looking at the goals that he scored in his prime months in Montreal, I see that Weise has a shoot-first mentality that needs to be supplied with smart playmaking linemates. Although the tenacity on the forecheck is evident, creating his own scoring chances does not seem to be his thing.

Proposed Line
D. Dorsett – B. Gaunce – D Weise
M. Granlund – B. Sutter – D Weise

The first of the two proposed lines should be a self-evident fourth line. There are decent speed and grit with all the ingredients for a great checking line.

The second of the two proposed lines, however, is somewhat of an unpredictable third line. Speed is not an issue. Having Brandon Sutter play the set-up man to two potent wingers while covering for their defensive deficiencies might be the best way to go. Otherwise, it may be difficult for Markus Granlund to find himself a spot in the lineup.

All in all, Dale Weise is a low-risk, high-reward type of free agent who could come at a very manageable cost for the Canucks this July.

And let’s be honest here. All we Vancouverite wanted to see more of Dale Weise. Let’s bring him back.

Next: No.4: TROY BROUWER

No.3: Chris Stewart

Speaking of tough forechecking wingers, Chris Stewart of the Anaheim Ducks is an unrestricted free agent who could be leaving to find himself a new home. Why does he make sense for the Vancouver Canucks? Here’s why.

Height / Weight: 6-foot-2, 230 lbs
Age: 28
2015-16 Stats: 56 GP — 8 Goals — 12 Assists — 20 Points
2015-16 Salary: $1.7 million
Expected UFA Salary: $1.5 million

Chris Stewart is your ultimate power forward project. After being drafted 18th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2006, Chris Stewart has failed to settle in with a team in the NHL. After stints with the Avalanche, the St. Louis Blues, the Buffalo Sabres, the Minnesota Wild, and the Anaheim Ducks, the massive forward has failed to turn into the Milan Lucic-type of player he could have been.

The raw tools are there, however. If the consistency and the defensive responsibilities can become an integral part of his game, he can be a foundational piece for any club going forward. He can shoot, he can check, he can fight, and he can play with Brandon Prust’s warrior mentality.

If Jim Benning decides to take on another reclamation project as he has with Sven Baertschi, Linden Vey, and Markus Granlund, he will have no problem signing the massive winger. If Willie Desjardins can turn the 28-year-old into the power forward Stewart could have been, it would be a job well done and a reason to stay for the season.

Looking at those highlights (from years ago, mind you), Stewart has the strength to battle in front of the net, he has the scorer’s instinct, and a rocket slap shot. If he can play like that for 70 games of the season, I would not mind having him as a Canuck.

Proposed Line
S. Baertschi – B. Sutter – C. Stewart

Yes, the formation of this line would mean that the Bo Horvat line would consist of one of Jake Virtanen or Anton Rodin switching to the off-wing to make things happen in Baertschi’s absence. But the potential of this line is just too good to pass by.

Size, speed, strength, playmaking, shooting, and even the defense — they are all there in this package of what would be a trio of Jim Benning’s reclamation projects. If Stewart can become the power forward version of the successful story of Baertschi’s conversion, Stewart will have no problem in a few years playing a middle-six role with Virtanen, behind Brock Boeser.

I would not mind Benning overpaying a bit to keep Stewart for two more years on the West Coast.

Next: No.2. LOUI ERIKSSON

No.2: Loui Eriksson

A name linked multiple times to the Vancouver Canucks in trade rumors, Loui Eriksson is set to hit free agency. Teams seem to be already making calls for Eriksson. Price will be high for the veteran Swede. What is right for the Canucks?

Height / Weight: 6-foot-2, 196 lbs
Age: 30
2015-16 Stats: 82 GP — 30 Goals — 33 Assists — 63 Points
2015-16 Salary: $4.5 million
Expected UFA Salary: $6.3 million

Loui Eriksson is the truest scorer in this year’s pool of free agent wingers. A breakout season with the Bruins was not enough to propel them to the playoffs and all seems set for him to hit free agency as the next top right winger for a team who is willing to pay the money.

Eriksson is a sniper and a playmaker. He is also a great defensive asset, too. GM Jim Benning was Eriksson’s Assistant GM for one season, the last one he spent on the Boston Bruins management. Let this HERO chart testify of Eriksson’s possessive prowess.

He is a superb player who is suited for the Sedin game. The Sedins have played with Eriksson previously at the World Championships for Team Sweden. Wonder if the Sedins will be able to lure Eriksson to Van City.

The one concern with Eriksson is that he is sometimes lacking that drive to get to the dirty areas to get the puck. Comparing that to the success that Hansen has had this season, Eriksson may not be as efficient as Hansen when playing with the Sedins 5v5.

Although the Canucks do not need more 30-year-old veterans for the youth movement, if the money is right and if Eriksson is willing, the Canucks should make a push to sign the free agent. The term will be the biggest issue.

Proposed Line
D. Sedin – H. Sedin – L. Eriksson

That was a nation’s top line. The Canucks will gladly take that. If the Canucks are indeed able to sign Eriksson, that would also free Jannik Hansen up for use on the other lines. This ripple effect is sure to make the Canucks a great four-line team.

Or does it make Hansen a valuable trade asset? That will certainly be the case in a year’s time when (if) Brock Boeser hits the NHL. It should also be a great safety net for the Canucks, in case the Anton Rodin experiment falls apart.

Eriksson is a definite should-sign for the Canucks if they can manage the bidding war. But who stands above Eriksson?

Next: No.1: KYLE OKPOSO

No. 1: Kyle Okposo

Whatever the true reason is, the New York Islanders seem open to letting top right winger Kyle Okposo walk away. Frans Nielsen, Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas, Ryan Strome, Chris Gibson, and J-F Berube are all becoming free agents for the Islanders, but I am quite surprised that they are allowing Okposo to walk.

After a terrific season to the right of none other than John Tavares, Okposo is the biggest asset out there in free agency. But is he worth it?

Height / Weight: 6-foot-0, 217 lbs
Age: 28
2015-16 Stats: 82 GP — 22 Goals — 42 Assists — 64 Points
2015-16 Salary: $4.5 million
Expected UFA Salary: $7.0 million

Okposo is the solution the Canucks have been looking for. He is a superb sniper who is able to play a strong game regardless of the situation. He has great skating and the power forward’s drive to the net.

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Those are the perfect characteristics to have if you are the right winger for the Sedins, are they not?

Those traits remind me of Vancouver-native left winger Milan Lucic. Lucic is a left winger, and that would be the one big issue that would keep him off the Sedin line should he sign with the Canucks. Now, imagine Okposo as the Lucic who can play to the Sedins’ right, with potentially more scoring upside.

That is big-time money for me. Let me get on the Okposo bandwagon, please.

On the other hand, here is what The Hockey News had to say about Okposo’s weaknesses. This seems like a pretty good problem to have and something that sounds like what Willie Desjardins is good at doing:

Doesn’t know how good he can be, which can be frustrating for his coaches.

There are other things there, too. But really? His only offensive weakness is not knowing how good he is? That sounds pretty good to me. Here are the rest of his “deficiencies”.

Tends to wear down over the course of an 82-game schedule, so durability is a concern. His defensive game is only average.

The one concern I have with this seemingly inflated price tag on Okposo is the fact that he has had Tavares as his centerman. The Canucks would not mind a strong winger who can score while playing with the Sedins.

In fact, Okposo might be the best option to play with the Sedins. Think about it — should Jannik Hansen falter with the Sedins this coming October as Radim Vrbata did with his second season, the Canucks are pretty much done for.

Proposed Line
D. Sedin – H. Sedin – K. Okposo

That line should bring trouble to the opponent night in, night out. The Canucks, if they are able to land this physical sniper who isn’t scared to get to the tough areas, they will be good for the long term.

And as Okposo is still just 28, the Canucks might not mind signing him to a six-year deal worth something close to $42 million in total. Again, I trust that Jim Benning has the scouting on Okposo after years in the East.

Next: Free Agent Friday: TOP 5 LW's to TARGET

With big names out there for the Canucks to take, it would be certainly disappointing for the Canucks to stand pat at free agency. GM Jim Benning has promised to spend, and one can only hope that “spending” equates to overpaying an Eriksson or an Okposo and not overpaying a bottom-six player.

At this point, I take faith in the Jim Benning who dished out big cash for Ryan Miller and Radim Vrbata. May Kyle Okposo be a Canuck in two months.