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Vancouver Canucks Free Agency: Top 5 Exposed RFAs to Target

By David Joun

Dec 27, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Joe Colborne (8) skates against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Joe Colborne (8) skates against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; iFlorida Panthers center Brandon Pirri (73) skates in the third period of a game against the Montreal Canadiens at BB&T Center. The Panthers won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

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

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