TAMPA, FLORIDA - JULY 07: David Savard #58 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates with the Stanley Cup following the team's victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game Five of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Amalie Arena on July 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning defeated the Canadiens 1-0 to take the series four games to one. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Coming off a seventh place finish in the Scotia North Division, the Canucks knew a revamp was needed in order to qualify for and compete in the Western Conference playoffs, and their recent actions reflect that. After the Canucks sat around and simply watched during Friday night’s first round of the NHL Entry Draft, they must now turn their attention towards July 28th, the first day of NHL Free Agency.
In particular, they’ll need to find a few more players that could fill out their blueline.
Throughout this piece, we’ll look at three potential UFA defencemen signings that the Canucks could explore during the start of free agency, as well as provide a more in-depth analysis on how they’d fit into Vancouver’s opening night lineup.
However, before we start, let’s preface the Canucks current salary cap and contracts situation.
As a result of this, the big-money star free agents that every fan seems to want on their team are likely out of the picture. This includes players such as Dougie Hamilton and Tyson Barrie, both of whom could demand some serious cash moving forward.
Instead, the Canucks will be bargain shopping for mid-level blueliners with lower AAV demands to fill out the roster.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Free Agent Target #1: David Savard, RD
During his press conference on Thursday morning to address the state of the Canucks after the expansion draft, Benning made his plans for free agency quite clear. He stated that the Canucks would be active in improving their defensive core throughout free agency, seeking to add size and strength.
The 6’2″, 230 pound blueliner, and recent Stanley Cup champion, is someone that the Canucks should certainly have interest in signing. At only 30 years old, which seems young given his resume and accomplishments in the league, Savard has many serviceable years left in the NHL.
Throughout his career, Savard has averaged around 20 minutes of TOI, whilst handling top-four defensive responsibilities on the backend.
Savard has minimal experience playing on the powerplay, despite being a prolific offensive-defensemen in junior hockey Fortunately for the Canucks, his true value comes on the penalty kill, where he is regarded as one of the best in the league, and would be a big improvement from the likes of Alex Edler. Savard has great lateral movement and is a fearless shot-blocker, which makes him even more beneficial in shorthanded situations.
Plus, the Canucks are already set on the man advantage with Hughes and Ekman-Larsson, as well as up-and-coming prospect Jack Rathbone.
Being a right-handed player also adds extra value to Savard, as teams crave for competent blueliners on the right side. Not to mention, his puck-moving skills and ability to transition quickly from the defensive zone into neutral ice through his breakout passes are extremely beneficial in today’s modern game.
One of the big reasons why Savard may be further attractive to the Canucks is his willingness to play in Canada. Lots of NHL players are becoming more reluctant to join Canadian clubs for a variety of reasons, including tax rates, weather, culture, and COVID-19 restrictions. However, according to insider Elliotte Friedman, the former Columbus Blue Jacket is more than willing to join a Canadian club.
Given Savard’s reputation in the league and his consistent and big-minute plays, along with his willingness to play north of the border, he should be near the top of Vancouver’s wish-list. A potential deal for Savard should be in the range of 2-3 years, with an AAV anywhere from $3.75M to $4.75M.
NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 26: Brandon Montour #62 of the Florida Panthers skates the puck against Yakov Trenin #13 of the Nashville Predators. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
Free Agent Target #2: Brandon Montour, RD
Pending-UFA Brandon Montour is another right-handed defensemen that the Canucks should be targeting come July 28th. Montour is only 27 years old, clocking in at 6’0″ and 194 pounds, and has spent his five NHL seasons with three teams (Anaheim, Buffalo, and Florida).
Ever since his days back in USHL with the Waterloo Black Hawks, where he became friends and teammates with current Canuck Brock Boeser, Montour has been a consistent, no-nonsense type of defenceman. While Montour may not be the splash signing every fan looks forward to in the offseason, he’ll be a stable presence on the backend, providing little-to-no mistakes on a nightly basis.
Montour often goes unnoticed when playing, which may sound like a bad thing, but is actually highly valuable for any defenceman in the league. His play is simple and smart, which leads to efficient and successful team hockey, and that’s an attribute that any organization should be looking for.
Throughout his tenure in the league, Montour has totalled 109 points in 293 regular season games, averaging out at around one point per every 2.7 games. Not too bad for a standard two-way defensemen.
Having Montour play 17-20 minutes every night on the penalty kill and on your second or third defensive pair would be a dream for most teams in the NHL. For Vancouver, bringing him in to play on a pairing next to a younger and smaller defenceman like Rathbone would be the perfect fit for the foreseeable future.
Similar to Savard, Montour is a Canadian-born player, which may increase the likelihood of him playing professional hockey north of the border for the first time in his career.
Montour should be a no-brainer pick up for the Canucks and Benning, with a potential contract likely falling in the 2-3 year range at around $3M to $4M AAV.
May 1, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Ryan Murray (22) against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
Free Agent Target #3: Ryan Murray, LD
The final pending UFA on this list that the Canucks should consider is left-handed defensemen Ryan Murray.
As a skilled player, Murray offers value as a true offensive defenceman. His game comes with a great passing range and excellent vision, as well as steady composure needed to straddle the blueline on the powerplay and during 5v5 offensive zone time. The untapped potential that comes with the former 2012 second overall draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets is certainly a risk worth taking for any team.
However, Murray’s career has been heavily hampered by many long-stretches on the IR. Despite playing in the league for eight full seasons, Ryan Murray has only completed one full season of 82 games; his next closest is 66 games. As a result, Murray has played in only 49 games per season on average. Whether he is considered injury-prone, or just plain unlucky is up for debate, but you can’t deny the fact that his overall health is an issue, which lowers his value.
If we turn our attention away from the injuries, the risk you incur when giving a contract to a player like Murray might be worth it for a team like the Canucks.
Murray can operate as your quarterback on a first or second unit powerplay, and he could run it effectively. He’s logged over 20 assists twice in his career, including the 2018-19 season where he produced 28 assists in 56 games, and could fill in for Ekman-Larsson or Rathbone if head coach Travis Green needs to change up the look of his powerplay.
When viewing Murray in his natural defensive position, it’s very easy to see him as a blueliner with a calming presence who helps make excellent transitions out of the defensive zone. Murray has a career plus/minus of +16, and has only been in the red twice in his eight-year career so far.
If you can get a healthy version of Murray on your backend, he’s sure to not only be steady defensively, but to also produce offence during many situations on the ice. However, if you bring in Murray at big money, expecting him to play key roles all year long, you may be in for massive disappointment.
Murray is another Canadian-born target on this list and, having been born and raised in Regina, might be another player more considerate of returning to Canada to play closer to home.
Benning and his front office team should consider bringing in Murray on a cheap, one year deal at around $2 to $2.5M. The goal should be to have Murray earn his play time through his health and production on the third defensive pairing.
Next. What Conor Garland brings to the Canucks. dark
What are your thoughts on these three potential free agent targets for the Canucks? Who do you want Benning and the front office to target come July 28th? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
