Vancouver Canucks Free Agency: Top 5 Exposed RFAs to Target
The Vancouver Canucks have money to spend, but can money buy youth?
In attempts to get a head start on this year’s free agency, the Vancouver Canucks are being active in the negotiation period by calling many veteran forwards who could help them reach the salary cap ceiling. The $9.2 million in projected salary cap space will likely be used up by the time GM Jim Benning signs his identified targets — a 20+ goal scorer and a versatile two-way player.
But looking at the names he has called so far, there’s something missing. In Mikkel Boedker, the Canucks are looking for speed. In Andrew Ladd, Troy Brouwer, and Milan Lucic, they are looking for physicality. In Eriksson and Stamkos they are looking for a sniping linemate for the Sedins to play with.
But what happened to youth? The youngest player available in unrestricted free agency is 26, a figure that does not exactly spell “youth” in the modern NHL where most of the stars bloom by age 24 — Filip Forsberg is just 21 years old and he has gotten himself a $36 million.
July 1st is great for making an impact on the roster to win now. But who says that it can’t make your roster younger at the same time? Has Willie Desjardins’s usage of the rookies made us think that veteran presence results in a winning environment?
With quite a few restricted free agents not being qualified by their respective clubs, this year’s free agency will feature a group of younger-than-26 players who will be able to make any NHL roster that much better.
The Canucks have identified two areas of need. With about $9.2 million in cap space, Vancouver will attempt to sign a 20+ goal scorer as well as a versatile two-way player. My question is whether both can be fulfilled with a single player, especially now that Alex Burrows is staying and taking up cap space as well as a roster spot.
With Jim Benning’s knack for developing other teams’ forsaken players into a bonafide prospect, a few of the players on the “RFAs who did not receive a qualifying offer” are certain to perk his interest. Here are five of them who could be the best fits for the Canucks for the 2016-17 season.
Next: No. 5: JUSTIN SCHULTZ
No. 5: Justin Schultz
The long-time supposed savior for the Edmonton Oilers’ blueline has hit the open market after not being qualified by this year’s Stanley Cup Champion, the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins would have had to pay Schultz $3.9 million to qualify him, but here he is on the free market.
Just as the Canucks did with Yannick Weber last year, the Penguins could still sign Schultz, albeit after July 1st.
Position: Defense
Height / Weight: 6-foot-2, 193 lbs
Age: 26 (in a week)
2015-16 Stats: 63 GP — 4 Goals — 14 Assists — 18 Points
2015-16 Salary: $3.9 million
Expected UFA Salary: $3.2 million
Justin Schultz is a fantastic offensive defenseman who has the size that Tyson Barrie does not. His offensive upside isn’t as great as Barrie’s, but the comparison should be made as both show a lack of defensive acumen quite frequently.
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That is, until, Schultz wasn’t expected to play top-pairing minutes for the poor Edmonton Oilers. Schultz became a great transitional defenseman when paired on the third pairing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, on their way to winning a Stanley Cup. Schultz would be the one who probably comes close to satisfying the Canucks’ need for an offensive defenseman that they tried to address in picking Olli Juolevi.
If he comes as a top-six guy on with either Nikita Tryamkin or Luca Sbisa as his partner, the Canucks top-eight on the blueline could consist of Hutton, Schultz, and Larsen being the puck movers to compliment Sbisa, Tryamkin, and Gudbranson, with Edler and Tanev manning the top pairing. That sounds pretty good to me.
The only fault here is whether Juolevi makes Schultz an unnecessary piece or not. That is the only reason that Schultz falls to the number five spot here and the fact that the Canucks are looking primarily for a scorer and a two-way winger.
But of course, the hometown fit is there. The Kelowna native has been linked with the Canucks before.
Next: No. 4: BRETT CONNOLLY
No. 4: Brett Connolly
A former Boston Bruin under GM Jim Benning, Brett Connolly is among the first names that come up when discussing examples of top picks in the modern NHL failing to become decent NHL players. He was not qualified as an RFA by the Bruins this week.
A Campbell River, B.C. native, Connolly was picked sixth overall by the Tampa Bay Lightnings in 2010. Injuries have been a concern, but this last season, he has managed to play 71 games.
Position: Both Wings
Height / Weight: 6-foot-2, 193 lbs
Age: 24
2015-16 Stats: 71 GP — 9 Goals — 16 Assists — 25 Points
2015-16 Salary: $1.025 million
Expected UFA Salary: $2 million
Connolly is a great offensive player who has the size to make it work in the offensive zone. Although he does not use his frame to his advantage by throwing hits and working in the dirty areas, his versatility and his hockey smarts serve him very well.
His shot is quite solid, and his positioning seems to allow him to have some tap-in goals as well. That might be something the Canucks need — with the mix of size and skill, his ability to finish chances and bang loose rebounds in the back of the opposition net might make him a cheap commodity for the Canucks.
At $2.0 million, he wouldn’t be a bad bet on the wing to Sutter’s left or even a time-to-time fit for the top line, to the right of the Sedins. Connolly’s size, finishing ability, and hockey IQ may make him a surprise fit on that top line.
Suggested Line:
B. Connolly – B. Sutter – A. Rodin
Although not known for a strong two-way game, Benning and Desjardins could salvage a top prospect in decline and make him the “second Sven Baertschi” for Vancouver.
Next: No.3: BEAU BENNETT
No.3: Beau Bennett
The Pittsburgh Penguins decided to trade Beau Bennett’s rights to the New Jersey Devils on draft day, but the third-round pick that the Devils gave up is up in the air as Bennett is set to hit free agency. He, like Schultz, is a player who could still be signed by the team.
Position: Both Wings
Height / Weight: 6-foot-2, 195 lbs
Age: 24
2015-16 Stats: 33 GP — 6 Goals — 6 Assists — 12 Points
Projection: 82 GP — 15 Goals — 15 Assists — 30 Points
2015-16 Salary: $0.8 million
Expected UFA Salary: $2.5 million
Like Brett Connolly, Bennett is a skilled player who has struggled with injuries — hence just played 33 games this past season and just one in the playoffs with the Penguins. He, in fact, was drafted about a dozen picks after Connolly was drafted.
Bennett, however, projects as more of a playmaker than a scorer, unlike Connolly. He is also versatile enough to play both wings and has a decent shot. His size also allows him to push his way to the front of the net but is prone to injuries because of his lack of strength.
He has been criticized for not using his sniper shot. Look at these highlights and see if the Canucks could have used this from Mr. Radim Vrbata this season.
Like Connolly, Bennett could be used on the right wing for the Sedins to play with should other options become too expensive. Bennett, however, could be a fit on anywhere in the top-nine.
Next: No.2: BRANDON PIRRI
No. 2: Brandon Pirri
One of the biggest RFAs that the Anaheim Ducks had to qualify this week was Brandon Pirri, but eventually, the forward was bumped by the defenseman. Hampus Lindholm was qualified instead. Pirri played primarily with the Florida Panthers and was ineffective for the Ducks after they made the rental acquisition worth a sixth-round pick.
Position: Both Wings
Height / Weight: 6-foot-0, 185 lbs
Age: 25
2015-16 Stats: 69 GP — 14 Goals — 15 Assists — 29 Points
2015-16 Salary: $0.975 million
Expected UFA Salary: $3 million
Though not the biggest player on the ice, Pirri is a potential top-six skill forward (when did we have that in Vancouver) whose hands are his biggest weapon. This shot and playmaking are great assets for him now that he has become a smart hockey player.
And despite criticism for not being a solid physical player, he has now become a hit-per-game player who had 66 last season. Although primarily a center, he has most recently played wing for the Ducks and had five points in nine games for them.
Compared to Bennett and Connolly, Pirri is the most consistent and established scorer in this group.
Suggested Line:
B. Pirri – B. Sutter – A. Rodin
Pirri is just an all-around player who can provide a motor for the third line. His healthy balance of scoring and playmaking will serve him well, to finish off Rodin and Sutter’s chances while setting Rodin up and returning the favor.
He could score 20 goals next season.
Next: No. 1: JOE COLBORNE
No. 1: Joe Colborne
Looking back at the four players we have seen so far, no one has stood out as a stud fit for the Canucks. No one was an established scorer who could post 20+ goals and at this age, a two-way forward is hard to come by. The defense is just too packed right now for Justin Schultz.
But here is Joe Colborne, the Calgary Flame, who is getting the short end of the stick with his team stuck with the task of re-signing both Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan and finding a backup netminder — all in just $19 million. The buy-out of former Canuck Mason Raymond will certainly facilitate that process. There is still talk that Colborne may return to Calgary.
Bottomline, he had 19 goals in 73 games this season. And he is one of the few positive-Corsi players on this list. And oh, he is big.
Position: Forward
Height / Weight: 6-foot-5, 221 lbs
Age: 26
2015-16 Stats: 73 GP — 19 Goals — 25 Assists — 44 Points
2015-16 Salary: $1.275 million
Expected UFA Salary: $3.3 million
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Colborne is a versatile offensive player who, like many on this list, can both rack up the assists and the goals. At the end of the season when the Calgary Flames were in “tank mode”, Colborne stepped up and had nine goals and 20 points in the final 19 games of the season.
He, of course, is like a power forward at times when he properly uses his 6-foot-5 frame, a figure that will instantly make him the largest forward in the Vancouver lineup. He can play all three forward positions, so that makes line-making a lot easier for Willie Desjardins.
His size and reach make him a constant threat in front of the net as well as on the rush. He is likely the most complete offensive player available as an un-qualified restricted free agent. I really like this guy.
Suggested Lines:
S. Baertschi – B. Horvat – J. Colborne
J. Colborne – B. Sutter – J. Virtanen
The Canucks have not had a big forward like him who can line up in all three positions. There are so many combinations possible thanks to his offensive prowess, size, speed. Colborne at $3.5 million will prove better than Milan Lucic at $6.5 million.He has been criticized as a sub-par defensive player, however.
Next: CASE: Is Olli Juolevi not the Canucks' #1 Prospect?
Though Joe has been criticized as a sub-par defensive player, he is too good to pass by. It’s time for Jim Benning to join the action and call his agents. At least drive up the asking price so the Flames are forced to sign him on a bigger deal.