Vancouver Canucks Free Agency: Brouwer, Fiddler, Lucic
By David Joun
The list of potential suitors for the Vancouver Canucks keeps growing.
The Vancouver Canucks were talking to Thomas Vanek, Andrew Ladd, Darren Helm, and Mikkel Boedker yesterday in their hopes to woo a 20+ goal scorer and a versatile two-way player. Now they have reached out to three more forwards, including hometown guys Milan Lucic and Troy Brouwer.
Troy’s Homecoming: Brouwer’s Called Already
Brouwer would be a fantastic middle-six addition for the Canucks. His physicality, opportune scoring, and hockey smarts away from the puck make the right winger a potential Jim Benning favorite. At 30 years old, he will be able to mentor Jake Virtanen who plays a similar game to his.
I like Brouwer. The Canucks do, too. The problem here is the price. Brouwer’s play in the playoffs was phenomenal. I wouldn’t blame Benning one bit if he decides the price tag is too much for the veteran.
Remember, though, that teams aren’t allowed to negotiate specific term or dollar figures just quite yet.
One for Willie: Vern Fiddler to VAN?
Vern Fiddler, however, is an interesting name that has not surfaced on any rumor fronts. The 36-year-old shutdown center may be ideal as a depth option, but should not be the biggest fish that the Canucks chase in free agency. His agitating style tells me that he may become the Adam Cracknell of 2016-17 who provides grit and timely scoring for the club when he plays.
He would also be an option to lead the group in Utica. As mentioned by NEWS 1130 Sports, Willie Desjardins’s experience behind the bench in Dallas may be fuelling this pursuit.
Homecoming 2.0: Beating McDavid to Lucic?
Vancouver couldn’t beat Connor McDavid to Drake Caggiula earlier in the offseason, but can they beat him now?
The Canucks have all the right reasons to be interested in Lucic, but the way it’s shaping up against the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver may be better off spending money on a piece with a better fit in the Canucks lineup.
Of course, the hometown factor is here, as well as the fact that Jim Benning likes the guy he had in Boston. He would bring a good balance of physicality and scoring for the Canucks. I just am not sure if the Sedins will prefer playing with Lucic when they can play with Jannik Hansen.
As ironic as that may sound, Lucic would cost almost three times as much as Hansen does. End of story?
Sure, come home, but not as the $7 million guy who broke the bank.
I guess GM Jim Benning realized that too and brought in the mayor to appeal. All kidding aside, there are many not many more free agents who are better than Lucic at scoring while hitting. At the right figure, I am all ears on Lucic. But again, players like him set the market price, so not much comparison may be available for the Canucks.
Next: Canucks Free Agency Talk #1: Vanek, Boedker, Helm?
NHL free agency begins July 1st. The Canucks have about $9.2 million in cap space as of now, while signing RFAs like Pedan could bring that figure down. More to come tomorrow.