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Vancouver Canucks Free Agency: Top 20 Players to Target

By David Joun

Jan 7, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) controls the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Arizona Coyotes won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) controls the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Arizona Coyotes won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 4, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; New York Rangers center Eric Staal (12) against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Rangers won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Eric Staal. 16. player. 95. . Center. 31, $5.2 million

A former franchise center is looking for a short-term deal that will allow him to play top-six minutes in the NHL. Eric Staal may be an option for the Canucks if all the other names are off the market. Will Benning continue to salvage players who are in decline in hopes of reviving them into cheap assets?

If anything Staal projects to be a stretch as the 20+ goal scorer and not the versatile two-way player. His 13 goals and 29 assists may seem appealing, but the bigger upside for Staal is that he wants a short-term deal. Could he be the second Radim Vrbata? Vrbata only had 20 goals in his final year as a Coyote before erupting to 31 goals with the Sedins!

15. player. 99. . LW. 28, $5 million. David Perron

Perron is overrated but is still a great all-around player. His agitating qualities outweigh his production (just 12 goals and 36 points this last season) but his skills are unquestionable. But a player of his caliber has no place in Vancouver without a defensive acumen, which many note in Perron’s game as missing. Not a good fit in Vancouver but a good player to steal should he be available in late July.

85. . Defense. 29, $2 million. David Schlemko. 14. player

The Canucks do not have much space on the blueline but Schlemko could be too good of a steal to pass by. A solid puck mover who has proved to be a timely producer from the blueline, Schlemko may or may not be due for a big raise. It is really tough to gauge as he projected to be just a depth option for the Devils to begin the year.

106. . Center. 32, $5 million. Frans Nielsen. 13. player

Nielsen is a sleek playmaking center who is a bonafide top-six player. Nielsen was a 20-goal scorer, however, despite putting up 32 assists along the way. Hard to see a fit in Vancouver, but if the Canucks are fine playing him on Horvat’s line or swapping Sutter to the wings, Nielsen would be a good get for the Canucks.

However, age is a factor against Nielsen, who is still in talks with the New York Islanders for a potential return.

Next: #12 - #10

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