The Canuck Way
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Canucks roundtable: Who is the most important UFA to extend?

By Brayden Ursel

VANCOUVER, BC - DECEMBER 10: Goalie Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks scrambles to find the puck while teammate Tyler Myers #57 looks to clear before Nic Petan #61 of the Toronto Maple Leafs can get a stick on the puck during NHL action at Rogers Arena on December 10, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - DECEMBER 10: Goalie Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks scrambles to find the puck while teammate Tyler Myers #57 looks to clear before Nic Petan #61 of the Toronto Maple Leafs can get a stick on the puck during NHL action at Rogers Arena on December 10, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
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Christopher Tanev of the Vancouver Canucks knocks down Johnny Gaudreau. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Christopher Tanev of the Vancouver Canucks knocks down Johnny Gaudreau. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

3. Chris Tanev

Tanev is coming off a five-year contract worth $4.45 million per year. The Canucks should look at re-signing him over Markstrom and Toffoli for numerous reasons. Yes, Tanev is injury prone (he hasn’t played 70-plus games since 2014-15.) and just turned 30 in December.

Tanev has been a warrior for the Canucks. He is the best shot blocker on the team, and he logs around 20 minutes of ice time per game. Even on one leg and without a stick, Tanev is willing to block a shot or two. His hockey IQ and toughness are what the team will need for future playoff games.

Every team needs several veteran leaders, and Tanev has excelled in such a role. He’s been a good defensive partner for Hughes (probably his best option right now) and has helped him transition to the NHL. The longtime Canuck has been a great mentor for Hughes, Pettersson and Brock Boeser.

And hey, if the Canucks let Tanev go, we would also have to say goodbye to his adorable pug, Riley. And who wants to say goodbye to a face like that?

But all jokes aside, the Vancouver defence remains the weak spot of the team, and if they miss out on locking up their best stay-at-home blueliner? They will be in heaps of trouble. When you look at the whole picture, Tanev is the right man for an extension.

Joshua Rey

Final Thoughts

Next. Canucks: Where does Brandon Sutter fit next season?. dark

The Canucks have multiple ways they can decide to take this in the offseason, and the decisions made will make a sizable impact on the team’s future, no doubt about it. Benning best tread lightly and think long and hard about this one, these next few choices may be the biggest ones of his career.

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