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Vancouver Canucks Free Agency: Top 7 Centers to Target

By David Joun

Jan 5, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 25, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Darren Helm (43) moves the puck during the third period against the New York Islanders at Barclays Center. Detroit Red Wings won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

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

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