Vancouver Canucks: Top 5 Remaining Free Agents to Target

Mar 10, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward Lauri Korpikoski (28) takes the faceoff in first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward Lauri Korpikoski (28) takes the faceoff in first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Loui Eriksson (21) during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Loui Eriksson (21) during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Though the frenzy might be over, the Vancouver Canucks are far from being done in free agency.

The Vancouver Canucks made six signings on July 1st, the biggest name being Loui Eriksson who is set to become the third Sedin. Defenseman Philip Larsen was the only addition on the blueline, as the restricted free agent was signed to a one-year, $1.025 million contract after having his rights acquired from the Edmonton Oilers.

With all these signings, the Canucks do not have much left to spend. According to General Fanager, Vancouver has a shade under $4.2 million in projected cap space left to spend not counting the salaries of projected-NHLers Anton Rodin and Philip Larsen.

That essentially means that the Canucks have about $2.25 million left to spend on NHL free agents. Loui Eriksson will be the only scoring help the Canucks get this year.

But GM Jim Benning still has one identified need to fill — a versatile two-way forward. He got the 20+ goal man in Eriksson, now it is up to him to find that two-way forward with just $2.25 million. That figure could be much slimmer if Andrey Pedan makes the team, but that also likely means that Alex Biega heads back to Utica.

With this in mind, what can the Canucks do in the secondary market? Here are the top five remaining free agents the Canucks could target with the limited cap space.

Next: No. 5: SAM GAGNER

Oct 24, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Sam Gagner (89) against the New York Rangers at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Sam Gagner (89) against the New York Rangers at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: Sam Gagner

Potentially the most offensively gifted player available, Sam Gagner could be the big steal in play on the secondary market. Canucks GM Jim Benning has reportedly reached out to Gagner’s camp, but that was before the Eriksson signing.

Position: LW-C
Height / Weight: 5-foot-11, 202 lbs
Age: 26
2015-16 Stats: 53 GP — 8 Goals — 8 Assists — 16 Points
2015-16 Salary: $4.8 million
Expected UFA Salary: $3 million

Much has already been said about Gagner, who is young, skilled, and potentially on the rise as a skilled middle-six forward. His ability to play both the left wing and the pivot make checks off the positional versatility box.

His hands, his vision, and his shootout specialty make him an asset the Canucks could target. After all, the Canucks did lose a shootout specialist in Radim Vrbata — who is still without a deal in the open market.

If Gagner can play a full season without injuries without the pressure to perform as a top-six forward, he will be a steal at the cost the Canucks can afford him. Though not the best fit that the Canucks are looking for right now, Jim Benning will not do himself good if he doesn’t call the former Oiler phenom.

Next: No. 4: TYLER KENNEDY

Mar 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Islanders center Tyler Kennedy (26) shoots against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Islanders beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Islanders center Tyler Kennedy (26) shoots against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Islanders beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: Tyler Kennedy

A player often overlooked because of his affordability, Tyler Kennedy is a great low-budget filler on any NHL teams’ bottom six. After earning $2 million+ per season with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the San Jose Sharks, Kennedy is now a free agent after earning just $600,000 with the Devils this past season.

Position: Forward
Height / Weight: 5-foot-11, 185 lbs
Age: 29
2015-16 Stats: 50 GP — 3 Goals — 13 Assists — 16 Points
2015-16 Salary: $0.6 million
Expected UFA Salary: less than $1 million

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Tyler Kennedy used to be a consistent 30-point producer back in the days and he used to be a point-per-game player in his junior Ontario Hockey League days. Now he plays an energy role in the bottom-six, with a knack for winning battles in the corners and the dirty areas.

Players like Kennedy are the ones that come through in the playoffs to provide surprise scoring and fabulous forechecking when skill is equally matched by both teams. Jim Benning would love to have a heart-and-soul guy like Kennedy for the young guys to look up to.

With his scoring pedigree, Kennedy always has the potential to be a steal in the secondary free agent market. The most recent performance in New Jersey suggests that he could be on the rise once again.

How often do you see a bottom-six player with a relative Corsi-For of +5.3 percent? A relative Fenwick-For of +4.4 percent? He can play all three position players, too.

Suggested Line
T. Kennedy – B. Sutter- J. Hansen

D. Dorsett – T. Kennedy – E. Etem

I’d say — go for it Jim Benning. Don’t be afraid of clogging up the bottom six, just sign him because Kennedy is a heck of a bottom-six player. He is versatile, he is hard-working, and he has the potential to be a break-out scorer when playing in a such high-skilled bottom six the Canucks have amassed.

Next: No. 3: KRIS VERSTEEG

April 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Kris Versteeg (10) celebrates his goal scored against Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Kris Versteeg (10) celebrates his goal scored against Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Kris Versteeg

The obvious question here is whether the Canucks can still afford Versteeg. Ignoring Rodin and Larsen and sticking with the $4.2 million cap space  will allow the Canucks to afford Versteeg, but can they really do that to accommodate the former Los Angeles King?

Position: RW
Height / Weight: 5-foot-11, 176 lbs
Age: 30
2015-16 Stats: 77 GP — 15 Goals — 23 Assists — 38 Points
2015-16 Salary: $4.4 million
Expected UFA Salary: $4.0 million

Ranked 19th on our top 20 list of free agents, Versteeg is a decent defensive player with flashes of offensive talent. His Corsi testifies — his +7.8 percent relative Corsi For proves him a player who can dictate possession. Plus, he has a great nose for the net despite his size and has the ability to wire the puck to the back of the net.

A positionally sound player who is smart defensively, Versteeg is a veteran that might be still worth his money. But is he a fit with the Canucks?

Simple answer, no. His lack of size is his biggest fault. The Canucks could move salary to accommodate him, but Versteeg’s lack of strength to battle and win puck battles will result in seeing pucks turned over in the defensive zone along the boards especially.

One of the best players left on the open market but the Canucks have no room for a guy who is in his thirties that can only play the right side with physical limitations.

Next: No. 2: NICK SPALING

May 5, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; San Jose Sharks center Nick Spaling (16) against the Nashville Predators in game four of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; San Jose Sharks center Nick Spaling (16) against the Nashville Predators in game four of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Nick Spaling

A member of the San Jose Sharks team that lost in the Stanley Cup Final this year, Spaling was limited to just the fourth line in the playoffs. A former Toronto Maple Leaf, Spaling isn’t well known in Vancouver at all.

Position: Forward
Height / Weight: 6-foot-1, 198 lbs
Age: 27
2015-16 Stats: 58 GP — 3 Goals — 10 Assists — 13 Points
2015-16 Salary: $2.2 million
Expected UFA Salary: $1.8 million

Nick Spaling is another bonafide bottom-six player with a great defensive acumen. He is used on the penalty kill and is a player who can play both the wing and the middle. He is a faceoff specialist, having won 53.8 percent of his draws as a Shark last season.

Although not the biggest man at 6-foot-1, Spaling checks well and works hard to make up for his lack of great size. The lack of offensive upside may be the only thing missing from his game that is holding him back from being a potential top-six player.

The Canucks could use a meat-and-potatoes player like Spaling to pad their depth of all-around players down the middle. With Bo Horvat and Brandon Sutter both being capable two-way players, Spaling could second Sutter a defensive shutdown forward on the fourth line instead of Markus Granlund.

Spaling, mind you, is still just 27 years old.

Suggested Line:
A. Burrows -N. Spaling – J. Hansen

The hard-working Spaling may be the best way to cover for an aging-yet-still-versatile Alex Burrows.

Next: No. 1: LAURI KORPIKOSKI

Mar 10, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward Lauri Korpikoski (28) takes the faceoff in first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward Lauri Korpikoski (28) takes the faceoff in first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Lauri Korpikoski

Lauri Korpikoski may be the perfect Vancouver Canuck in waiting for Jim Benning. The former Pheonix Coyote has all the attributes the Canucks are looking for and now is a free agent after being bought out by the Edmonton Oilers to make room for Milan Lucic.A player still on the younger side of 30, Korpikoski’s addition to the lineup will make the lineup Willie Desjardins’s dream.

A player still on the younger side of 30, Korpikoski’s addition to the lineup will make the lineup Willie Desjardins’s dream.

Position: Forward
Height / Weight: 6-foot-1, 193 lbs
Age: 29
2015-16 Stats: 71 GP — 10 Goals — 12 Assists — 22 Points
2015-16 Salary: $2.7 million
Expected UFA Salary: $1.8 million

Korpikoski is best known for his speed which he uses to his advantage in defensive scenarios. He is versatile enough to play all three forward positions and showed improvement in the faceoff department last year by winning 52.9 percent of his draws.

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Used 57.4 percent of the time in the defensive zone, he has a big frame that he can contribute to the Canucks. He can also kill penalties without a problem and provides energy in a bottom-six checking role.

His speed and his release make him a threat offensively, too. His skating is so smooth that he can drive hard to the net with ease. He can provide decent secondary scoring, even from below the dots.

But most recently, the Oilers bought him out. The Oilers of all teams. The main reason seems to that the defensive acumen is leaving him. Unless this is the case, Korpikoski could be a big steal out there waiting for the next chapter of his career.

Suggested Line:
L. Korpikoski – B. Sutter – A. Rodin

L. Korpikoski – B. Sutter – J. Hansen

That’s a great third line. All are speedy players with hands that can shoot and set up chances, with Sutter and Korpikoski providing size that Rodin does not have.

The second suggestion is an all-speed, all-check, shut-down line. It has the potential to be a deadly speed line that scores in bunches while defending the most crucial of leads. Loui Eriksson’s addition sure makes this easy.

I really like Korpikoski. If he can prove that he is defensively aware enough even in his 30’s, he could be a steal at under two million dollars per season. He will be affordable right now, let me tell you.

Next: ANALYSIS: GM Jim Benning Working the Depth in Free agency

The best of the players may be off the market, but Jim Benning still has players left that he could target in the coming days and weeks of July and perhaps even August.

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