Vancouver Canucks should target Michael Grabner in free agency
By Alex Hoegler
If Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning is active in free agency, he’ll need to look at the best bargain buys. A reunion with 2006 first round pick Michael Grabner should top Benning’s to-do offseason list.
The Vancouver Canucks wisely decided not to overpay for free agents last year, as general manager Jim Benning seemingly learned his lesson following the failed $36 million signing of Loui Eriksson.
Benning signed Sam Gagner, Anders Nilsson, Michael Del Zotto and Thomas Vanek last offseason. All four of them were cheap signings, but Vanek was the only one that actually panned out in 2017-18. As such, Benning should play smart and only look for one or two additions in this year’s free agent pool.
Vanek provided great value for the Canucks on his one-year pact worth $20 million, potting 17 goals and 41 points in 61 games.
More from The Canuck Way
- Which team won the Bo Horvat trade?
- What to expect from newcomers Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty
- Back to the future: How the skate uniforms became a regular Canucks’ feature night
- Canucks kick off 2023 with disappointing 6-2 loss to Islanders
- 2nd period penalty trouble sinks Canucks in 4-2 loss against Winnipeg
The Canucks didn’t get much of a return for him at the trade deadline, however.
But the next Vanek is what Benning needs to find in free agency. That’s where Michael Grabner comes into play. Remember him? The 14th pick in 2006. Great speed and a nice shot. Too bad previous GM Mike Gillis dealt him to the Florida Panthers in the failed Keith Ballard trade.
Like Vanek, Grabner will certainly see his free agent value go down after struggling with his new team following a deadline transaction.
He had 25 goals and 31 points in 59 games for the New York Rangers, but just two goals and five points in 21 games with the New Jersey Devils.
In a market that’s loaded with scorers like John Tavares, James van Riemsdyk, Ilya Kovalchuk and James Neal, players like Grabner will be overlooked. This is where Benning needs to step in and make an offer.
Grabner is coming off consecutive 27-goal seasons. You may not know this, but he’s a productive scorer when healthy. Grabner had 34 goals with the New York Islanders in 2010-11, followed by 20 tallies a year later. Injuries contributed to a few frustrating years, but he regained his form after joining the Rangers in 2016-17.
Grabner would be a perfect fit for the Canucks in many ways. How about his incredible speed? That would fit nicely on a young team that’s trying to get faster. How about the fact he’s good for 20-plus goals when healthy?
Of course, Grabner would have to accept a short-term deal — no more than two years. But as the Canucks look to bring in more youth, they can have a reliable veteran that will fit the system of head coach Travis Green.
Next: Canucks: Jim Benning on core players and age
If I’m Benning, I’m looking at a two-year deal worth $8 million for Grabner. Make some use of your cap space, get your 20-plus goals out of him and have more speed in the lineup. If the price is right, Benning needs to go for it.