Vancouver Canucks: Top 15 unrestricted free-agent targets
By David Joun
No. 10: Ryan Murphy
Having been bought out by the Calgary Flames last week, Ryan Murphy is one of the youngest names out there in the open market. Though there are reasons that led the Flames to buy Murphy out, Vancouver could sign the undersized defenseman to a low-risk, high-reward contract as a reclamation project.
Age: 24
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 185 lbs
2016-17 Stats: 27GP – 2A – 2PTS
2016-17 Salary: $787 500
The 11th overall pick from the 2012 entry draft had great offensive potential until he reached the NHL and he struggled to develop as a reliable player. He has no leverage in contract talks due to his buyout situation and would be available at near league minimum.
If the Canucks could pull together another reclamation project in Murphy and have Travis Green put his career back on track, Vancouver may end up with a great offensive defenseman by the time Murphy gets into his prime years.
It’s worth a shot, even if it is on an AHL deal.