Vancouver Canucks: Learning the Market for Free Agency
By David Joun
BUYOUTS: The Waiting Game
By now, most Canucks fans should know that Alex Burrows and Chris Higgins are the two names on the Canucks roster who are being considered for buyouts. The buyout market kicked off with two one-year contracts coming off the board in the Eastern conference.
R.J. Umberger, the former Canuck first-round pick, was bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers this week. His $4.6 million contract will now instead cost the Flyers $1.6 million in 2016 and $1.5 million the year after.
A Comparison: Alex Burrows
The 34-year-old left winger is a great comparison to Alex Burrows. The two have a similar age range, similar point production, and an identical cap hit. But not the salary hit, however.
Burrows, the 35-year-old leader, had 22 points in 79 games this past season, which is at an identical rate to Umberger’s 11 points in 39 games. Burrows also carries a cap hit of $4.5 million for the upcoming season, and his position on the Canucks roster is as good as gone at this point.
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But with Burrow’s salary being just $3.0 million compared to Umberger’s $4.5 million, the savings for a Burrows buyout is not as big.
While Umberger’s buyout gives the Flyers a $3 million relief this season, a Burrows buyout would only result in a $1 million relief over the next two seasons, according to General Fanager.
I have been saying repeatedly that the best thing for Burrows would be a trade. Having started his career in the ECHL, he has earned the respect in the city and the organization. Should he have to leave Vancouver, he deserves to be traded to a contender or a favorite team of his.
Montreal has surfaced as a potential destination, but seeing that Marc Savard‘s $4.1 million cap hit cost his team a second-round pick, the Canucks will find it hard to trade him without sacrificing.
On the other hand, there is the argument that buying Burrows out is the most respectful route, as he will be able to choose his own destination as a free agent.
Although the buyout seems like the best course of action for the Canucks (demoting him to the AHL would be the worst thing for their relationship, I would think), the one issue the Canucks might have with that is the fact next year’s offseason is going to be the most cap-straining one ever with all the re-signing the club has to do.
Chris Higgins: Playing the Waiting Game?
Chris Higgins has another year left on his contract which pays at $2.5 million. With the buyout saving the Canucks $1.67 million this year and costing them $833,000 the year after, the Canucks should buy him out unless he still has a draft pick value in the trade market.
It is more of a contract space issue for Higgins, as the Canucks will be looking to make more signings to fill up the 50-contract limit. Otherwise, his presence in the minors may be beneficial for the future but the relationship sour between him and the Canucks brass.
Again, who knows if he suddenly shows up a bottom-six guy for the Canucks at camp?
Jared Cowen Bought Out: A Fit with VAN?
Big defenseman Jared Cowen was bought out by the Toronto Maple Leafs this week and the 25-year-old will be the youngest UFA in the market aside from college players and undrafted prospects. At 6-foot-5 and 238 pounds, Cowen’s frame could attract teams on July 1st.
Cowen had the final year of his $12.4 million contract (over four seasons) bought out as coach Mike Babcock did not see a fit for Cowen in Toronto’s blueline. But does Vancouver have room for him?
No.
Cowen will add another dysfunctional piece to the logjam in Vancouver’s blueline. The Canucks do not need another depth defenseman, especially one like Cowen who is about Sbisa-level with his puck control. The truth is that he does not provide half the physicality that Sbisa does, leading me to believe that he should not, and will not, be an option for the Canucks.
Bottomline: Maximum $2.67 million relief, minimum $1.67 million relief
Next: The TRADE MARKET: Salaries, Rights, and Picks