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3 right-handed defencemen the Canucks could target in free agency

ByJoshua Rey|
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 25: Dylan DeMelo #12 of the Winnipeg Jets skates against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Capital One Arena on February 25, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 25: Dylan DeMelo #12 of the Winnipeg Jets skates against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Capital One Arena on February 25, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 25: Dylan DeMelo #12 of the Winnipeg Jets skates against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Capital One Arena on February 25, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 25: Dylan DeMelo #12 of the Winnipeg Jets skates against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Capital One Arena on February 25, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The Vancouver Canucks need to add some right-handed defencemen this offseason. Here are three potential targets who are about to hit free agency.

With the Stanley Cup Final drawing to a close, the offseason is now in full swing. The Vancouver Canucks are in for an interesting one where general manager Jim Benning has plenty of decisions to make.

So far, not much has happened other than rumours and rumblings. But as the old saying goes, this might be the “calm before the storm.”

An area of need for the Canucks is a right-handed defenceman, particularly if Chris Tanev or Troy Stecher (or even both) walk in free agency. Alex Edler and Quinn Hughes have the left side, so it wouldn’t really make sense to sign a left-handed blueliner.

Free agency will be the route to go. However, with limited cap room it’s going to be tough to sign a player who can make a huge impact, so don’t expect to see Alex Pietrangelo or Tyson Barrie on the list.

Here are three, cost-effective right-handed defencemen that the Canucks could potentially take a look at in free agency.

Dylan DeMelo

Dylan DeMelo is someone I would really like the Canucks to sign. There is a lot to like about him as he excelled in top-four minutes with both the Ottawa Senators and the Winnipeg Jets.

The 27-year-old had 10 assists in 59 games with Ottawa and Winnipeg last season. He’s coming off a two-year contract worth $900,000 per season. So it’s safe to say that he won’t be looking for a big pay raise.

DeMelo is smart and efficient, and he can provide some offence. Though he really isn’t much of a goal scorer, DeMelo can still be used on the power play from time to time. Not only that, but DeMelo is fairly sound defensively.

He isn’t afraid to be physical and can force turnovers, win battles and help break the puck out of the defensive zone. If Tanev does walk, he could potentially be a reliable partner for Hughes.

Bill Huan of Canucks Army also made the case for signing DeMelo, and he pointed out that when he was with the Senators, DeMelo made Thomas Chabot better in terms of expected goals and controlled shot attempts.

DeMelo could potentially have the same impact playing with Hughes. He won’t be costly, and he’s effective on both ends of the ice so. Add it all up, and he’s a logical target for the Canucks.

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