Vancouver Canucks Free Agency: Top 6 Strategies to Use
By David Joun
#2 SPEED: Scoring Comes with Speed?
This is where the Canucks need to improve big-time. Either by moving the puck quickly or by skating quickly, the Canucks have got to be faster on the blueline. Speed down the wings would also be great.
But is it true that speed can offset the lack of size and grit at times? Although big men with quick feet are great, they are a rare and precious breed.
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LW Mikkel Boedker (26) 51 pts / 80 GP
D Kris Russell (29) 19 pts / 62 GP
LW Viktor Stalberg (30) 20 pts / 75 GP
One of the key defensemen at this year’s free agency, Kris Russell is an interesting name. He is quick, he is mobile on and off the puck, and he does not sacrifice defense for offense — look at his shot blocking pedigree. Russell, I think, is the one player who will be able to make this Vancouver defense one of the league’s best in a few years’ time.
The one concern with Russell may be his slight frame, but for winger Viktor Stalberg, that isn’t an issue. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he is one of the aforementioned “rare breeds” that combine size with wheels. Though his pedigree as a scorer is limited to one 43-point season with the Chicago Blackhawks, Stalberg’s size would be much appreciated at a bottom-six capacity.
Impact on the Line Up
Though that third line leaves a little room for want, the fourth line should provide Gaunce with opportunities off the forecheck to score quite frequently.
Russell will be able to help on the man advantage, too. Should be a great Hutton-like figure for Tryamkin, the Gudbranson-like giant.
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