The Canucks sign depth forward Jayce Hawryluk
The Vancouver Canucks continue to build their team through free agency when today, Jim Benning signed right-wing forward Jayce Hawryluk.
The Vancouver Canucks have signed UFA forward Jayce Hawryluk to a one-year contract.
Today, both Rick Dhaliwal and TSN confirmed that a deal has been done between the Canucks and the 24-year-old. According to Sportnset’s Elliotte Friedman, Hawryluk agreed to a two-way contract that will pay him $800,000.
Drafted by the Florida Panthers 32nd overall in 2014, the Yorkton, Saskatchewan native got his first taste of the NHL in 2018, and since then he has played 68 career games with the Panthers and the Ottawa Senators.
After not being qualified by Senators general manager Pierre Dorion, Benning was quick to pounce on his availability. The lack of interest from Ottawa comes as a bit of a surprise as Hawryluk managed to scored seven points in 11 appearances with the Sens during the 2019-20 season.
Injuries have slowed his overall progression, but there is still potential in the winger. He’s a terrific depth signing for the Canucks and at the price Benning managed to grab him for, it’s a win-win for both parties. Hawryluk gets a chance to solidify himself as an everyday NHL forward and if it doesn’t work out for whatever reason, the Canucks have the option to send him down to the AHL.
Hawryluk will be thrown into the mix of right-wingers looking to leapfrog their way up the depth chart. With the team saying farewell to Tyler Toffoli, there’s a big hole that needs filling next to captain Bo Horvat and Tanner Pearson.
Will Hawryluk play his way into a top-six role with the Canucks? It’s hard to say just yet, but he’ll receive every opportunity to battle it out against his new teammates Jake Virtanen and Zack MacEwen at next season’s training camp.
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Over the course of his career, Hawryluk has registered 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) through 68 games.