Vancouver Canucks Rumors: Barrie, Hudler, Pirri, Gagner
According to multiple reports, Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning is working his phone to finalize the roster.
After signing Loui Eriksson and several depth players, there is not much room left on the Vancouver Canucks roster. However, GM Jim Benning wants to add a middle or bottom-six forward in free agency and is still in talks with the Colorado Avalanche about Tyson Barrie.
Edmonton, Vancouver and #Leafs talking to Colorado about puck-moving defenseman Tyson Barrie. Would be a great pick-up.
— Howard Berger (@Berger_BYTES) July 4, 2016
Yesterday, I wrote about Tyson Barrie still being an option for the Canucks. Those were just my personal thoughts after seeing a post on FanSided’s Mile High Sticking about the Colorado Avalanche’s current lineup situation. As it turns out, the Canucks are still trying to get a deal done with the Avs. Barrie would not only solidify the defense, but he could also be a terrific second-line right winger.
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Unfortunately, the Canucks don’t necessarily seem to have the right pieces to get the deal done. Barrie is a consistent 50-point scorer from the blue line at just 24 years old, so his value is extremely high. For the Avalanche, talks likely start with Bo Horvat, Chris Tanev or Ben Hutton, while that is where talks end for the Canucks.
The only options I could see are picks and prospects, namely Brock Boeser and Vancouver’s 2017 first-round pick. But do they want to part ways with those pieces?
Free Agency
Furthermore, NEWS 1130 Sports reported the Canucks called Jiri Hudler‘s agent.
Hudler had 16 goals and 46 points in 72 games last season and could provide the scoring depth Vancouver is desperately seeking. In 2014-15, Hudler recorded a career-high 31 goals and 76 points — at 31 years old. Most players decline when they reach the 30-year mark, but Hudler is still in great shape. Like Barrie, he would be a great pickup for the Canucks, as long as his contract isn’t as big as that of Loui Eriksson.
Last but not least, the Canucks are in talks with several other players that could fill secondary scoring roles. Josh Jooris, Corban Knight, Brandon Pirri and Sam Gagner are the players NEWS 1130 Sports named.
None of those players are likely to score Hudler’s 46 points, but they would be solid bottom-six additions nonetheless. At this point, Benning has to work with what is left, and it would make sense to have the players above near the top of his list.
Outlook
While a Barrie acquisition would technically be great, a smaller signing like the players mentioned above likely makes more sense. Barrie is a young player, so he wouldn’t hurt the rebuild even if Vancouver shipped out a youngster for him. But if the only way to acquire Barrie is to give up a player like Bo Horvat, they would be much better off with what they have.
Which is likely the reason why the Canucks haven’t acquired Barrie yet. Talking never hurts, but I doubt there is a way to get a deal done that both teams like.
Vancouver had terrible secondary scoring last season, so Hudler would be a great signing. Benning just needs to make sure the price isn’t too steep.
Next: Top 5 Remaining Free-Agent Targets
The lower-tier players like Jooris and Knight would probably come at a very cheap contract, similar to Emerson Etem‘s one-year, $775,000 deal. Brandon Pirri and Sam Gagner should be a little more expensive, but not much.
Benning really can’t go wrong with those guys.