Vancouver Canucks Free Agency: Top 7 Centers to Target

The Honourable Mentions: Darren Helm & Jiri Hudler

This year’s free agent pool is so deep down the middle that expanding the usual top-five list to seven players wasn’t enough. Here are the two honorable mentions who deserve to be in the top five but are not, due to the mismatch with the current state of the Canucks organization and line up.

Darren Helm is still on the right side of 30, though it feels as if he has been a Detroit Red Wing for ages. With 26 points in 77 games with the Red Wings this season, Helm is looking to fill the scoring void that would be the result of a Pavel Datsyuk departure from Motor City to St. Petersburg:

With the news that the Wings will not be bringing back Kyle Quincey and Brad Richards, an extension seems likely for Helm. Though a very talented skater with two-way upside, Helm’s hard work ethic likely stays where it is.

Jiri Hudler is 32 years old, but he has yet to start becoming obsolete. With a 46-point effort this past year, Hudler and his ability to play all forward positions would certainly attract Vancouver’s attention.

But the age, the contract, the lack of size, and the lack of two-way play will definitely lead GM Jim Benning to erase Hudler from his potential July 1st signings. The Canucks have enough players who “do-everything-decently”.

And with that, here are the top seven center options for the Canucks this July.

Next: No.7: MIKE SANTORELLI

No.7: Mike Santorelli

After a short stint with the Vancouver Canucks that unfortunately (or fortunately, whichever way you may choose to look at it) coincided with that of coach John Tortorella, Mike Santorelli proved once again an inexpensive bottom-six player this year with the Anaheim Ducks as he did with the Canucks.

With the Ducks looking to bring back pending free agents like David Perron, Jamie McGinn, Rickard Rakell, and Brandon Pirri, a forward like Santorelli may not be able to find himself a roster spot. More importantly, the Ducks need to secure their RFA defensemen — Sami Vatanen, and Hampus Lindholm. Big assets there.

Height / Weight: 6-foot-0, 189 lbs
Age: 30
2015-16 Stats: 70 GP — 9 Goals — 9 Assists — 18 Points
2015-16 Salary: $0.875 million
Expected UFA Salary: $0.900 million

What Santorelli would bring to the Canucks is one of the hardest in-game work ethics the city has ever known coupled with a tremendous hunger for the puck that allows him to play all three forward positions as needed. His best offensive asset is in his skating which is quick and fluid.

Santorelli is not the seventh-best center available at free agency. He likely sits outside the top-ten. He is going to be on the wrong side of 30 this December and he has not impressed ever since he left the Canucks organization two years ago. He, however, sits at number seven for how financially friendly he will be. His versatility should also allow the Canucks to have him sub in and out for a young forward like Alex Grenier or Brendan Gaunce.

His best days were in Florida five years ago. But look at the season stats and you will see that Santorelli thrived when he got big minutes with the Florida Panthers, the Vancouver Canucks, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Not so much in Anaheim.

So if Willie Desjardins sticks to his four-line system that saw Linden Vey and Emerson Etem defend a one-goal lead with three minutes left in the game, Santorelli may thrive in Vancouver.

After all, he is a Vancouver boy, is he not?

Proposed Line
D. Dorsett – M. Santorelli – E. Etem
B. Gaunce – M. Santorelli – D. Dorsett/E. Etem

A checking line consisting of three of Dorsett, Etem, Gaunce, and Santorelli would be a delight as the fourth line. While Santorelli will not throw the biggest hits, he is sure to create some timely offense for his wingers. Gaunce and Etem both have the speed that could compliment Santorelli’s.

A one or two-year deal at just under a million is likely for Santorelli, and he will surely provide exemplary work ethic worth much more than just a million dollars — something that would be great for the group of young prospects coming up the Canucks system.

Next: No.6: SHAWN MATTHIAS

No.6: Shawn Matthias

Another former Canuck making this list of free agent centers is Shawn Matthias. After being claimed as a free agent last summer by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Matthias was a trade deadline acquisition by the Colorado Avalanche.

The Leafs gained an AHL prospect and a fourth-round pick with the trade. What is Matthias going to get in the open market now?

Height / Weight: 6-foot-4, 231 lbs
Age: 28
2015-16 Stats: 71 GP — 12 Goals — 16 Assists — 28 Points
2015-16 Salary: $2.3 million
Expected UFA Salary: $3.3 million

What Matthias brings to the Vancouver Canucks size and versatility down the middle and to the left side of the puck. Though not known as a scorer at the NHL level, his most recent near 30-point season indicates that he is able to provide timely scoring.

While he was in Toronto it seems that Matthias has developed leadership characteristics which could come very handy if he were to sign with the Canucks.

With faceoff success not being the story for the Canucks this past season, Matthias would be a welcomed addition to the Canucks lineup with his ability to win faceoffs using his size and strength. His ability to rough it up will make up for the loss of Brandon Prust, who also becomes a UFA.

Proposed Line
J. McCann – S. Matthias – J. Virtanen

This is an exciting line. A do-it-all third line that scores, checks, and defends with quickness and heaviness. Although inconsistency may become an issue, if Matthias can take the next step, moving McCann to the wings may allow him to play in the NHL and not spend a potentially wasteful, disheartening year down in the AHL.

The one issue with Matthias may be inconsistency, but he seems a lot less inconsistent now than he did with the Canucks. With the combination of size and quick hands, Matthias could become a solid middle-six guy for the Canucks. Also, his ability to play the left wing is also attractive considering how much offensive flexibility the Canucks might need when young players draw into the lineup.

Next: No.5: SAM GAGNER

No.5: Sam Gagner

Given how much talent is on the rise down the middle for the Philadelphia Flyers, the chances of Sam Gagner extending his tenure with the Flyers looks slim. But as a former sixth-overall pick, his value cannot be underestimated.

Height / Weight: 5-foot-11, 202 lbs
Age: 26
2015-16 Stats: 53 GP — 8 Goals — 8 Assists — 16 Points
2015-16 Salary: $4.8 million
Expected UFA Salary: $3.5 million

Sam Gagner is on the rise after a solid showing in the second half of the season. A capable playmaker who possess tremendous vision and great passing skills, it is a pity that he falls to the number five spot.

Once a forgotten project with the Edmonton Oilers in the good old days of the Northwest Division, Gagner is slowly but surely climbing back into respectable territory as a potential top-six forward in the NHL. Gagner started the season with the Philadelphia Flyers’ AHL affiliates. He then ended the season with six goals and 11 points in the second half.

He ended the season with a +1.5 percent Corsi For Relative. That tells you something. But does that translate to money in the open market?

In spite of these great bounceback storylines, the issue is evident — Gagner is prone to injuries despite being a 202-pound man.

Tell me what the Canucks should do after you watch these videos, please.

And Gagner is a shootout specialist. Check these out.

Proposed Line
S. Gagner – B. Sutter – A. Rodin

With that line, speed is not an issue. Moving Gagner to the wing as the set-up man for Anton Rodin may be one of the smartest coaching moves that the NHL could see as Gagner has not fared well in the faceoff circle (won just 35.1 percent of them with the Flyers).

Though a wild card with so many variables, if there is something that GM Jim Benning is good at, it is finding reclamation projects, acquiring prospects who were once lost. I have a funny feeling about this one.

Next: No.4: FRANS NIELSEN

No.4: Frans Nielsen

After years of playing behind star center John Tavares, New York Islanders veteran forward Frans Nielsen is now free to explore the open market. While the thought of potentially trying out as the top center for a weak team is one that could come with a massive payroll for the 32-year-old, a contract extension to stay with the Islanders organization is still a realistic option.

Height / Weight: 6-foot-1, 188 lbs
Age: 32
2015-16 Stats: 81 GP — 20 Goals — 32 Assists — 52 Points
2015-16 Salary: $3.5 million
Expected UFA Salary: $5.5 million

Frans Nielsen is a good playmaker who is sleek and versatile. As one of the most underrated players of the game, Nielsen functions well in virtually all situations that he asked to play in, as the set-up man on the powerplay or as the Brandon-Sutter type of player who is effective at killing penalties; and like Sutter, Nielsen is a little fragile.

The primary issue obviously is age. Nielsen has no chance of finding himself a place in the Canucks lineup that already boasts Bo Horvat and Sutter. Unlike other players on the list, he does not have a history of playing on the wings. Had Nielsen been a winger of equal resume, he could have been a must-grab for the Canucks that could bolster the top-six big time.

That being said, if fellow Dane Jannik Hansen does not mind giving Nielsen a nudge to become a winger, the Canucks will have a proven top-six playmaker who could very much be the catalyst that makes a guy like Anton Rodin work.

Hard to see a situation develop that would allow the Canucks to sign Nielsen, but if there is anything else that pops up between now and July 1st Free Agency Frenzy, Nielsen is a definite option for Vancouver.

Next: No.3: DAVID BACKES

No.3: David Backes

The St. Louis Blues have a lot of free agents to consider once their playoffs are over, and captain David Backes should be near the top of their list. British Columbia native Troy Brouwer, youngster Jaden Schwartz, and Dimitry Jaskin should all be looking for a raise once this long postseason run is over for the Blues.

Height / Weight: 6-foot-3, 221 lbs
Age: 32
2015-16 Stats: 79 GP — 21 Goals — 24 Assists — 45 Points
2015-16 Salary: $4.75 million
Expected UFA Salary: $5.5 million

Before anything, here is a quote from Elliotte Friedman’s 30 Thoughts:

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Jeremy Rutherford is on top of all things Blues, and his reporting indicates the last talks between the organization and David Backes ended at three years at $5.5M. There may have been some wiggle room there, a willingness from the team to go to $6M and a fourth year. (Elliotte Friedman, 30 Thoughts)

First of all, the likelihood of Backes hitting free agency seems slim at this point. I would think that Backes would be happy with a $24 million contract at this point of his career. Secondly, he will not be able to find many offers that will trump the one that St. Louis has reportedly put on the table.

But at the end of the day, why does the hard-hitting centerman not belong as a shut-down guy in the Canucks lineup even at just $5 million a year? Well, in case you forgot, there is a foundational two-way player in our midst named Brandon Sutter who is getting a raise himself. Bo Horvat is growing into a Backes-type player anyhow, minus some of the physical edge.

Backes’s ability to instantly go from playing the puck to playing the body is the biggest thing I like about him. A great player, but if the Canucks want to nurture Horvat and Sutter, Backes may not be the guy.

But good is a line of Backes, Daniel, and Henrik Sedin?

Even if the Canucks overpay Backes AAV-wise, if they can get Backes for three or four years, I am all in. He could be to the Sedins a perfect mix of Alex Burrows and Radim Vrbata. A versatile leader like him may be the perfect one to have to bring up Virtanen and Brock Boeser while potentially donning one of the alternate captaincies.

The Canucks should definitely call David Backes and pull a “Radim Vrbata” — tell the Minnesota native that GM Jim Benning will pay good money to let him play with the Sedins.

Although this list is not for the right wing, a versatile center like Backes makes the top three as a top option to play to the right of the Sedins.

Heck, just bump Henrik to the wings and allow the bigger man to take some draws! With Henrik breaking down in the faceoff circles, it may be good to just let Backes play the pivot on a line with the Sedins!

Next: No.2: ERIC STAAL

No.2: Eric Staal

After failing to be effective as a trade deadline rental acquisition for the New York Rangers, center Eric Staal, the brother of Jordan Staal, will look to find a new home  to resurrect his reputation as a capable first-line center  in the NHL.

Height / Weight: 6-foot-4, 205 lbs
Age: 31
2015-16 Stats: 83 GP — 13 Goals — 26 Assists — 39 Points
2015-16 Salary: $9.5 million
Expected UFA Salary: $6.0 million

Eric Staal is a once-underrated elite center now in decline. The size is there, the strength is there, and the shot is there with all the rest of the offensive skillset. The speed, the hands, the offensive awareness are all so sublime.

I have a hard time believing that Staal has fallen so far. Once a franchise center, now one of the worst rental acquisitions in recent NHL history. He recorded no points in the Rangers’ postseason, adding insult to a first-round exit at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Inconsistency and lapses in defensive responsibility are the few faults in Staal’s game. But he still has the tools. See for yourselves.

This shows the initial hand-eye coordination that Staal exhibited to knock the initial aerial pass down. He then skates strong to the front of the net where he tips the puck in one-handed (with his backhand!) while pushing Trevor Daly away with his left arm.

And the second goal shows great offensive anticipation capped off by an excellent shot from a tough angle.

Proposed Line
D. Sedin – E. Staal – H. Sedin

As it was with David Backes, Staal will be a great player who can play the faceoff dot in Henrik’s place while playing as the finisher for his two elite wingers. The Sedins needed speed, size, talent, and IQ in their linemates, and Staal is just that.

After a disappointing year, look for Staal to possibly take a little pay cut to get a long contract or to go just a couple of years at a high salary deal to prove himself.

If a deal makes sense, Staal could be the stop-gap option that bridges the gap between Henrik Sedin and the next franchise center whether it be in the form of a Pierre-Luc Dubois, Logan Brown, or another.

Next: No.1: STEVEN STAMKOS

No.1: Steven Stamkos

But at the end, who can top the biggest name in this year’s free agency? Steven Stamkos stands atop as the one and only sure franchise player in this year’s pool of players. Go back to February and recall how much fuss there was about Stamkos potentially getting moved to Toronto.

While the Tampa Bay Lightning will definitely look to bring him back, other pieces in the equation may hold them back from doing so. The deep playoff run may result in many free agents in Tampa Bay looking for raises, including young talents like Alex Killorn, J. T. Brown, Vladislav Namestnikov, Nikita Kucherov, Cedric Paquette, Jonathan Marchessault, and Nikita Nesterov

Height / Weight: 6-foot-1, 194 lbs
Age: 26
2015-16 Stats: 77 GP — 36 Goals — 28 Assists — 64 Points
2015-16 Salary: $5.5 million*
Expected UFA Salary: $9.0 million

Steven Stamkos is one of the best scorers in the league, and at just 26 years of age, the case can be made that Stamkos is the one who opened the door for under-25 scorers to shine in the NHL.

Stamkos is a pure sniper who has a heck of a shot that can beat any netminder from anywhere in the zone. His skating his quick and agile, while his hand-eye coordination is arguably the best the modern NHL has ever seen. And as all franchise centers do, he also defends pretty well. And also as all franchise centers do, Stamkos does not back away from the physicality of the game.

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But that could change.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have fared well in the playoffs without Stamkos who has been out with a blood clot for the entire playoffs to date. The word is that he will not play game four of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Having removed parts of his rib cage to make the surgery work, I cannot imagine how Stamkos feels about the physicality of the game as he seeks to return to the playoffs.

If he indeed returns, the playoff performance will only add to his value as he proves himself still fit for elite-level play. But if he does not figure into the lineup, one can only imagine how much of an unseen rift there could be between GM Steve Yzerman and the Stamkos party.

Man, is he good.

Proposed Line

D. Sedin – S. Stamkos – H. Sedin

What else can I add? An elite scorer for two elite playmaking snipers. The three have combined for 180 points this past season. Imagine the possibilities.

Next: Free Agent Friday: Top 5 Left Wingers to Target

Stamkos will be the face of the franchise. Stamkos will be able to carry the future of the team as Brock Boeser joins him on the top line in a few years’ time. With Bo Horvat and Brandon Sutter as the next two centers, the Canucks will be set for success for the next five years.

While the link to the Toronto Maple Leafs is strong for Stamkos and the Detroit Red Wings are joining the Philadelphia Flyers already in the efforts to appeal to Stamkos, a promising young team like Vancouver could lure Stamkos to the West Coast.

Looking at this year’s crop of free agents down the middle, Stamkos is the big win. But missing Stamkos would not spell a loss for the 29 other teams, nor would it define the current management’s inability to draw big-name players.

Next: Free Agent Friday: Top 5 Right Wingers to Target

Eric Staal could still be an elite scorer, and with the youth movement in full swing, a Sam Gagner or a Shawn Matthias will be welcomed in Vancouver.

Just 40 days remain till July 1st. Stay tuned.