Canucks: 3 defencemen they could explore in free agency

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.

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!