How the current RFA trend will affect the Vancouver Canucks
By Rick Warman
As the Vancouver Canucks embark on a season overflowing with confidence, there are considerable concerns that lay ahead.
With the recent unchartered course that is being established by the current class of restricted free-agents, the importance of salary cap management has magnified. Never before have the demands of players coming off entry-level contracts been at this level. Many high-profile talented young hockey players have been training camp hold-outs as teams struggle to find a resolution. This includes Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser.
Current negotiations over a new contract for Boeser will undoubtedly have undesirable consequences. If the team is to compete for a playoff spot this season, getting quickly out of the gate is of the utmost importance. Boeser himself needs to have a significantly better start to his season than he has in the past. Missing any amount of training camp could impede that from happening.
However, the concern management has with the current negotiation is the precedent that it will establish with future RFA signings. Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes will have their ELC contracts expire in two years. The new deals they will sign will likely exceed the amount that Boeser receives. If the Canucks sign Boeser to a bridge deal rather than one with a longer-term his next contract will ultimately have a much higher average annual value.
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Asset management vs. the playoffs
The clear objective for this team going forward is to make the playoffs, but at what cost? The team has some ageing veterans, or in business terms, diminishing assets on expiring contracts. Moving on from these players and maximizing the return will be extremely crucial for the Canucks and their ability to sustain an upward trend.
Previous trade deadlines have not presented the team with many beneficial acquisitions. Management has been reluctant to strike any such moves for various reasons. Although injuries have played a significant part, the main reason is that there weren’t any prospects ready to fill the roles of the departing players. Such is no longer the case.
According to Cap Friendly, the Canucks have six players who will become UFAs after the current season. Chris Tanev is the player that best fits the criteria mentioned above and one that could fetch a decent return.
Expectations are that the Canucks are likely to be in a heated playoff battle as the trade deadline approaches. Parting with Tanev at such a critical time won’t be easy, but it will be in the best interest of the team long-term. In my opinion, the Canucks will not be serious Stanley Cup contenders until their core four are all into their second NHL contracts. Trading Tanev at the trade deadline should be a priority regardless of their playoff positioning.
Player development will be vital to the success of this franchise to reach its goal of hoisting the Stanley Cup in three to five years. Players such as Olli Juolevi, Brogan Rafferty, Jalen Chatfield or others must be fully prepared to step into that role. Ashton Sautner, Guillaume Brisebois or Nikita Tryamkin are other candidates to fill that position.
The following season will see the contracts of Brandon Sutter, Alex Edler, Sven Baertschi, Tanner Pearson and Jordie Benn expire. Depending on the level of play of each of these players, similar moves may be necessary. These moves may also be facilitated to create cap space as Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes and Thatcher Demko will all require new contracts at that time.
The Canucks are in a very good position prospect-wise to transition these veterans into youthful replacements. Their prospect pool was ranked fourth by EP Rinkside and has received comparable accolades from various other reputable sources. Players such as Adam Gaudette, Zack MacEwen, Tyler Madden, Will Lockwood, Jett Woo, Jack Rathbone, Vasili Podkolzin and Nils Hoglander represent an exciting journey ahead.
How these prospects and others progress and how the Canucks utilize the asset management of their veterans will go a long way in determining whether or not they realize their ultimate goal. Having the cap flexibility that will be provided by the numerous players that would still be on an ELC will also be beneficial. Canuck fans are long overdue to have their team finally crowned as Stanley Cup champions.