Vancouver Canucks roundup: rumours, trades and parting ways
The draft finished two days ago and the news is heating up as we get to July 1st. We will keep you up to date on all rumours, signings and trades regarding the Vancouver Canucks.
Hockey Christmas has come and gone. We are still feeling the buzz from the 2018 Entry Draft, where Vancouver Canucks fans rejoiced over the selection of Quinn Hughes. Jim Benning has done a bit of house cleaning regarding some of his free agents and the rumours have kicked into high gear.
Let’s start with a minor trade
More from Canucks News
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- Canucks acquire Ethan Bear, Lane Pederson from Carolina
- Brock Boeser, Curtis Lazar placed on injury reserve
- Canucks officially unveil Reverse Retro jersey in latest aesthetic change
The Canucks made a small trade with the Chicago Blackhawks sending Michael Chaput there in exchange for Tanner Kero. It appears the Hawks were trying to free up a roster spot and give Kero an opportunity elsewhere. That could mean Chaput tries his luck with a different NHL team on July 1st or perhaps explore his options overseas.
Chaput was a good depth forward, who was very important to the Utica Comets. Kero had a lower points-per-game rate in the AHL than Chaput, but from I have learned, he will provide a similar level of depth for the organization. On the surface, it seems a bit of a downgrade, but I’m sure Jim Benning will add another minor league centre on the farm (at least I hope he does).
Canucks parting ways with prospects/players
This is interesting to me, since I can check back on my article as to what to do with the Canucks pending RFAs.
Related Story: How to handle the Canucks' restricted free agents
Rick Dhaliwal confirmed this, but the Canucks will not re-sign Mackenze Stewart, Cole Cassels, Griffen Molino, Joe LaBate or Patrick Wiercioch (last two were UFA). There are no significant losses there, although Wiercioch was good defensive depth. I’m guessing the Canucks wanted to free up a spot for their prospects and get themselves out of the veteran rule.
This gives the Canucks five extra contract slots to use on their prospects or free agents in the future. Although the team never exceeded the 50-contract limit, being so close to it limited some of their options in free agency, specifically from the NCAA.
Stewart was the prime example of what a wasted contract looked like and the beginning of a death by a thousand cuts. It made you question how the organization evaluated talent and if the dinosaurs would ever step into the present. Four years later from that 2014 draft and the Canucks have changed. They are getting away from signing amateur players that will never amount to anything. That department has come a long way. If only that applied to their pro scouting as well.
Free agent frenzy
I will briefly go over the big RFA’s. The Canucks are negotiating with Jake Virtanen, Sven Baertschi, Troy Stecher and Derrick Pouliot. Nothing concrete yet on term or price, so we will see how all four situations turn out.
On the UFA front, the Canucks would like to bring Darren Archibald back (as would I), but they need to up the ante. Archibald is getting offers from other teams. I may as well let you down easy now. John Tavares will not be a Vancouver Canuck. Shocking, I know. Anyway, Jim said it didn’t make sense for the team now and he’s right. But the Canucks did their homework, same as the other 30 teams.
Benning wants to add some toughness, so it makes sense why the Canucks spoke with Jay Beagle. I’m not against signing Beagle, as long as the price is right. This team has overpaid for toughness before and some of those players are all bark, no bite.
Finally, we will end off with the most interesting free agents that the Canucks are pursuing as of now. Everybody knows that the team is interested in Tyler Bozak. Personally, I’m not a fan. Bozak will be expensive and not be the second line centre Benning thinks he is. But, if the Canucks are going to sign him, I would prefer it to be no more than three years with a cap hit less than $5 million.
Next: Vancouver Canucks picks in rounds 5, 6 and 7
Rick Dhaliwal also confirmed that the Canucks have also talked to Riley Nash. It’s a trap, Jim. The last former Bruin signed as a free agent didn’t exactly work out. Nash is looking to cash in and the Canucks are just the team willing to overpay. Resist the temptation. We already have one awful contract on the roster (arguably three), don’t add any more of them. Well, that’s it for now, but I’m sure you will be hearing more and more as we get closer to Sunday.