Vancouver Canucks: Best Free-Agent Fits with the Sedins
Needing to add more scoring depth and talent up front, the Vancouver Canucks should take advantage of a fairly deep free-agent pool. In order to maximize the Sedinery next season, it’s imperative the Canucks add a top-six forward or two.
Because after all, that’s one of the Vancouver Canucks’ more prevalent issues this offseason: how do they capitalize on the final two years they have of Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin — that is, before they would have to be re-signed or (Gretzky forbid) they retire?
Hand in hand with that issue is the lack of scoring depth the Canucks currently possess past the top line. Even if the youngsters make huge strides in their development as future producers and even if everybody stays healthy, that won’t do much to move the Canucks out of the league’s scoring cellar.
Do you still savour the sweet, sweet memories of the West Coast Express line lighting up the league or recall the well-balanced attack that propelled the Canucks to the top of league scoring in 2011? The Canucks need to get back there and fix their powerplay woes along the way.
Remember this dominance?
A.K.A. listen up, Trader Jim.
Not only should GM Jim Benning be looking to sign free agents but he should also be exploring all possible trade avenues.
So, which free agent forwards are the best fits?
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It’s almost a given by now that any player who skates with the Sedins is automatically made better. Some players even have career years with them. Truthfully, the Twins don’t need an elite, top-line winger alongside them: Radim Vrbata scored 31 goals from the right side; Anson Carter scored 33. Neither one of those guys is an “elite” winger.
Here are several of the Sedins’ most successful line mates over the course of their career, including a brief description of their playing style:
Trent Klatt (6-foot-1, 210 lbs)
- Bigger body but not much speed or skill
- Made presence felt in front of the net
Taylor Pyatt (6-foot-4, 230 lbs)
- Big body who often made his home in front of the net
- Quick hands, decent shot
Anson Carter (6-foot-1, 210 lbs)
- Fairly speedy
- Crashed the net
- Played with grit, an edge to his game
Ryan Kesler (6-foot-2, 202 lbs)
- Big body, liked to throw his weight around
- Extremely fast skater, with lightning-quick agility
- Hard-nosed edge to his game
- Very competent forechecker
Alex Burrows (6-foot-1, 188 lbs)
- Quick skater with long reach
- Accurate and hard shot
- Under-your-skin, in-your-face quality
- Excellent forechecker
- Great anticipation
Radim Vrbata (6-foot-1, 194 lbs)
- Sniper capabilities
- Able to anticipate with solid hockey IQ
Jannik Hansen (6-foot-1, 195 lbs)
- Extraordinarily fast skater
- Smaller body but skilled forechecker
- Good two-way player
- Gritty and unafraid to battle in the corners/in front of the net
Out of that group, it’s obvious that two types of players are usually slotted in with Daniel and Henrik: 1) the big power forward who battles hard in front of the net and has enough skill to handle complex feeds from the twins and put them home with a deft scoring touch or 2) a smaller, speedy forward with an excellent shot, great anticipation, and a dose of grit.
But which type of player is the optimal fit?
An argument could be made for both but it’s hard to deny the impact of a big body in front of the net, especially if it’s a player who can crowd the crease without taking penalties and easily nullify defensemen with size and strength. Add a set of hands and a decent hockey IQ — at least a player with good ice-vision who is able to anticipate Sedinery and therefore put himself in a position to succeed — and you have the ideal fit for the Canucks’ top line.
The fact is, the majority of the time the Sedins are matched up against the top lines of opposing teams. These matchups usually lead to gruelling battles, and while speed is always valuable, an imposing figure coming down the wing can create a lot of space for the Sedins to work.
Now that we’ve identified what qualities a Sedin line mate would ideally have, which free-agent forwards best embody them?
Next: Milan Lucic
Milan Lucic
Essential info: 6-foot-3 / 233 lbs / LW / Shoots left / from Vancouver, B.C.
Career Stats: 566 GP / 139 G / 203 A / 94 plus-minus / 772 PIM
Last Season: 81 GP / 20 G / 35 A / 26 plus-minus / 79 PIM
Current Cap Hit: $2,750, 000
Projected Salary Ask: $5-7 million
PROS
Out of all the FAs, Milan Lucic is by far the most physical and most intimidating. I can’t even begin to imagine what the sight of Lucic barreling down on you with full force does to a player’s nerves. If the Canucks want to give the Sedins the biggest possible body wreaking havoc in front of the net, then Lucic is their man. Also helpful is that Lucic is by no means a pylon out there: he has the skill to pick his corners and let loose a powerful shot.
Is there a possibility of a hometown discount (Probably not but always worth a shot)?
CONS
Unfortunately, signing Lucic would gobble up a lot of the cap space the Canucks have this offseason, unless they manage to move out some of the veterans via trades. Essentially that would eliminate any potential bids for other FA’s. Lucic is also a left shot and ideally you’d have a right-hander alongside Daniel and Henrik.
There’s been some talk out there of a decline in Lucic’s scoring ability, too. He still tallied 20 goals last season, and if he’s skating with the Sedins who knows how many he might score? At 28 years old, he’s still in the midst of his prime.
Next: Troy Brouwer
Troy Brouwer
Essential info: 6-foot-3 / 213 lbs / RW / Shoots right / from Vancouver, B.C.
Career Stats: 613 GP / 150 G / 144 A / -5 plus-minus / 457 PIM
Last Season: 82 GP / 18 G / 21 A / 2 plus-minus / 62 PIM
Current Cap Hit: $3,666,667
Projected Salary Ask: $4.5-5 million
PROS
First off, he’s another hometown boy who has already expressed interest in joining the Canucks for the upcoming season. Troy Brouwer is only 30 years old and can typically be counted on for 20 goals (similar to Lucic, how many more might he amass on a line with two playmakers like the Sedins?).
He’s essentially the same size as Lucic — well, a little less hefty — and plays a similar brand of physical, hard-nosed hockey. Plus, if the Canucks opt to sign Brouwer instead of Lucic, they could use the savings to potentially sign other FAs. Additionally, Brouwer brings veteran leadership and playoff experience into a locker room where players under the age of 25 are the dominant group.
CONS
Seems like a perfect fit, really.
Next: Andrew Ladd
Andrew Ladd
Essential info: 6-foot-3 / 200 lbs / LW / Shoots left / from Maple Ridge, B.C.
Career Stats: 769 GP / 210 G / 256 A / 38 plus-minus / 479 PIM
Last Season: 78 GP / 25 G / 21 A / -13 plus-minus / 45 PIM
Current Cap Hit: $2,816,000
Projected Salary Ask: $4-5 million
PROS
The third B.C. boy in this free agent crop, Andrew Ladd is another big body with net presence and grit, plus some decent speed added in for good measure. He’s also a Stanley Cup winner and a former captain, so, you know, he’s a bona-fide leader and veteran of the uber-competitive NHL playoffs. Ladd knows how to win and he has the extra gear to step up when he needs to. And he’s only getting better with age: 20+ goals in each of the past three seasons.
Like fellow big bodies, Lucic and Brouwer, Mr. Ladd won’t let the Sedins get pushed around.
CONS
Again, seems like a pretty good fit. Ladd is only 30 years old, and he, as well as Brouwer, if the Canucks added him, could assume the mantle of veteran leaders and producers when the Sedins retire or if they leave after their contracts are up.
If there’s one thing working against him: left-handed shot.
Next: Loui Eriksson
Loui Eriksson
Essential info: 6-foot-2 / 183 lbs / LW / Shoots left / from Gothenburg, Sweden
Career Stats: 725 GP / 212 G / 292 A / 59 plus-minus / 156 PIM
Last Season: 82 GP / 30 G / 33 A / 13 plus-minus / 12 PIM
Current Cap Hit: $4,250,000
Projected Salary Ask: $5.5-6.5 million
PROS
If the Canucks want to go the “Gentleman Scorer” route, then Loui Eriksson fits perfectly. Eriksson is a six-time 20 goal scorer, including two seasons in which he tallied 30. He’s had excellent line mates in the past but has he ever had playmakers like the Sedins? The possibilities with such a Swedish trio are tantalizing. With the Sedins feeding him pucks and with his release, Eriksson could score upwards of 35 goals — no joke.
Eriksson is the type of intelligent player able to effectively anticipate any Sedinery. An effective powerplay guy, Eriksson could help transform the Canucks’ PP into a functional unit again.
CONS
Two things: Eriksson will be looking to cash in after a fantastic season in Boston last year, which means his salary demands will be high (and unlike the other wingers, there’s no chance of a hometown discount), and he lacks physicality in his game. On a minor note, he’s also a left-hand shot, which we’ve established isn’t ideal.
Signing Eriksson might mean only signing Eriksson and no one else, unless more cap space is made by trading current roster players.
Next: Kyle Okposo
Kyle Okposo
Essential info: 6-foot-0 / 217 lbs / RW / Shoots right / from St. Paul, Minnesota
Career Stats: 529 GP / 139 G / 230 A / -60 plus-minus / 310 PIM
Last Season: 79 GP / 22 G / 42 A / -4 plus-minus / 51 PIM
Current Cap Hit: $2,800,000
Projected Salary Ask: $5-6.5 million
PROS
A scoring right winger who plays big and doesn’t mind throwing his 217-pound frame around, Kyle Okposo is an ideal fit for the Sedin line. He’s scored 20 goals several times in his career, despite just settling into his prime at 28 years old, and he has valuable playoff experience.
CONS
Okposo is probably due for a pay raise, considering his performance last season. His ask might be out of the Canucks’ comfort zone.
There’s also a health risk that comes attached to Okposo: he’s missed significant time due to injuries in four of his eight seasons in the league.
Next: Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos
Essential info: 6-foot-1 / 194 lbs / C / Shoots right / from Markham, Ontario
Career Stats: 569 GP / 312 G / 250 A / 5 plus-minus / 354 PIM
Last Season: 77 GP / 36 G / 28 A / 3 plus-minus / 38 PIM
Current Cap Hit: $7,500,000
Projected Salary Ask: $?????
PROS
We all know what Steven Stamkos brings to the table.
Would he take the pressure of being the top-line center off Henrik?
CONS
See those question marks above? Stamkos could fetch a crazy amount of money. It’s not everyday that a 26 year old, elite scorer wades into free agent waters. He’s almost certainly out of the Canucks’ price range.
Next: Conclusion
Conclusion
At the end of the day, there are a number of possibilities for what might happen at the Draft and on July 1 and Benning will be considering all of them. Opportunities to improve the Canucks abound but to specifically add a significant contributor to the Sedin line, while trying to spread out the available money to improve other areas of need, the Canucks need to be selective.
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Instead of over-spending on someone like Stamkos or Lucic, it would be prudent for the Canucks to target players like Ladd or Brouwer, and then continue to add other pieces where possible.
Each free agent here merits consideration and each player will provide value for the team that signs him but the ideal situation would see the Canucks bringing home the B.C. boys in Ladd and Brouwer who will provide all the right attributes and fit nicely into the cap space available, (especially if hometown discounts are applied *fingers crossed*). The two wingers immediately bolster the offense and help spread out the scoring.
Next: Vancouver Canucks: 3 Reasons Lower Salary Cap Helps
The trickle-down effect probably makes Jannik Hansen expendable, which, as myself and other The Canuck Way writers have previously pointed out, provides the Canucks with yet another opportunity to acquire some assets (picks, picks, picks!). As much as I love Hansen, he’s never had higher value than right now and he won’t score 20 goals again if he’s not spending significant time alongside the Sedins.
Considering the talent that’s available, the Canucks will doom themselves if they remain stagnant.