2. Team signs a big name free agent
When it comes to the big fish of this year’s unrestricted free agents, the biggest fish in the pond are hands down Artemi Panarin and Erik Karlsson. When Canucks’ general manager Jim Benning has said that two of his goals this offseason are to add a true top six winger and a top four defenceman, why wouldn’t the team want to add one of these two players?
Karlsson is a right-handed defenceman, and the Canucks have been lacking on that side for quite some time now. As mentioned above, Tanev is usually injured at some point in the season, exposing a gaping hole on the right side of the blueline for the Canucks.
While I’m a little wary of the idea of signing Karlsson because of his injury history, I fully understand that any team that lands him will be a better team as a result. Karlsson is an elite defenceman, and as I mentioned in an earlier article, was practically joined at the hip with Elias Pettersson during All-Star Weekend.
Speaking of Pettersson, how about if the team is lucky enough to land Panarin in free agency? Both Pettersson and Brock Boeser would have their linemate that would instantly make them one of the best lines in hockey. Could you imagine those three on a line together?
Who would I like to see the team add more out of the two big fish free agents? Right now, I’ve got to say Panarin. That line with Pettersson and Boeser would be way too good to pass up on. But hey, I’m not complaining if they pick up Karlsson, either.