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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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Mar 18, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Colorado Avalanche won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

67. . LW. 28, $7 million. Milan Lucic. 3. player

The Hometown Dream is over. But how many, I wonder, deemed it a nightmare and not a dream?

I don’t blame them.

Lucic would have been a great hit for the Canucks. He plays with the character that Jim Benning likes, with an intriguing mix of size and skill. At this point, however, it seems that the Vancouver native is bound for the Edmonton Oilers. A line of Lucic and McDavid with Jesse Puljujarvi will be a threat to the Canucks at all times.

That being said, even if the Canucks were to pay big money for the big left winger, he would have lacked fit with what the Canucks have right now.

. Wing. 26, $6 million. Mikkel Boedker. 2. player. 103

The Canucks want speed, 20+ goal scoring, and a versatile two-way player. If I am Jim Benning, I am ready to pay up to $7 million to acquire Boedker’s services. He is the guy who could do all three.

Instead of costing an extra roster spot and having to pay more, the Canucks could fill two players’ worth of needs in just one player, Boedker, who is coming off of a 17-goal, 51-point campaign in two of the league’s worse teams, the Avalanche and the Coyotes. If the Canucks could lure him in with the hopes of playing with the Sedins, Boedker could be an excellent pick up for the Canucks. He is young too, at just 26 years of age.

1. player. 70. . RW. 30, $6.5 million. Loui Eriksson

With Steven Stamkos now off the market, Eriksson tops off the list of potential free agents for the Canucks. His experience with the Sedins on the international front make him a likely candidate for the top line role and the best bet to be the 20+ goal scorer the Canucks are ready to invest in. Heck, he had 30 goals last year.Eriksson has been rumored to be on the move to the Canucks since last Christmas thanks to the Boston connection for GM Jim Benning.

Eriksson has been rumored to be on the move to the Canucks since last Christmas thanks to the Boston connection for GM Jim Benning.

Next: Canucks Free Agency: TOP 5 Exposed RFA's to Target

Eriksson’s addition to the Canucks could create a trickle-down effect that starts with Jannik Hansen and hopefully ends with Jake Virtanen being in a better position to produce offensively. Benning has already contacted Eriksson’s agent earlier in the week.

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