An in-depth look at the Canucks bottom 6 for 2022-23

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There is no shortage of speculation about what the Vancouver Canucks’ top six forward group could look like going into 2022-23. With names like JT Miller and Conor Garland swirling about in trade rumours, and the uncertainty that Brock Boeser will come back, it could be a whole different group putting the puck in the net next year. But we rarely talk about the bottom six.

The majority of the Canucks’ bottom six forwards are due for contract renewals this off-season, and the chances are that several of them will not return. Let’s take a look at who may and may not come back and who could replace those who depart.

Matthew Highmore and Juho Lammikko

Similar to Highmore, Juho Lammikko contributes much more to the Canucks than goals and assists. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, he plays in key defensive situations, kills penalties, and contributes the occasional goal — just like Highmore.

Also a pending RFA coming off of a league-minimum deal, Lammikko should get a similar contract to Highmore. A slight raise on a multi-year deal would be a win for both the player and the team.

Alex Chiasson

2021-22 was the third time in Alex Chiasson’s career in which he earned his contract in training camp after signing a PTO. With everything he provided the Canucks this year, he should have no issue getting his next deal done early, whether in Vancouver or elsewhere.

Canucks media was opposed to Chiasson at the beginning of the year because he occupied valuable powerplay time that could have gone to young guys like Vasily Podkolzin or Nils Hoglander. But he was successful on the man-advantage, so who can blame him?

In addition to his 13 goals and 22 points, Chiasson brought veteran leadership to a relatively inexperienced team. He is also one of the only players on the team with a Stanley Cup ring on his finger — and we all know how much general managers value a winning pedigree.

As he met and probably exceeded most people’s expectations, Chiasson might be able to squeeze out either a multi-year deal at league minimum or a one-year contract with a raise. Either way, he deserves to be rewarded for his play, and whichever team he lands on will be lucky to have him — including the Canucks.

Jason Dickinson

One of the more underwhelming players on the Canucks roster this year, Jason Dickinson is due for a bounce-back season. He is under contract for two more years at an AAV of $2.65 million — a team-friendly deal if he plays up to his potential.

Canucks President Jim Rutherford recently told the media that the first thing he want to do heading into the off-season is clear cap space to be able to participate in free agency. While the initial thought might be to clear out some of the bigger contracts on the back end, that’s easier said than done. What they could do, however, is find a buyer for Dickinson if they believe he has peaked.

Will Lockwood

Will Lockwood became a regular fixture in the Canucks’ lineup shortly after they traded Tyler Motte to the New York Rangers at the deadline. He was instantly well-received by fans and media alike, largely because he reminded them of Motte.

While he has yet to put up a point through 15 games in the NHL, he provides solid defensive play and more grit than any other forward on the team. He hits, he fights, and he battles for every puck. At 23 years old, Lockwood has plenty of time to grow into a permanent bottom six role, similar to Motte.

Lockwood becomes an RFA this summer, but as he hasn’t played a ton of games at the NHL level, his next deal will likely be similar to the $842,500 that he currently makes.

May 15, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Dallas Stars center Vladislav Namestnikov (92) battle for the puck during the third period against the Calgary Flames in game seven of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Potential Signings

Tyler Motte

Fans have never been as unanimously heartbroken to move on from a bottom six forward as they were when the Canucks traded Tyler Motte to the Rangers.

The combination of grit, defense, penalty killing and the occasional big goal compliment his top-tier character, making him one of the most under-valued players in the league. He was worth more than the fourth-round pick that the Canucks got for him.

Motte becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent at the end of the year. He established himself as a full-time NHLer in Vancouver, and was far more appreciated there than anywhere else. If he has the desire to come back, management should welcome him with open arms.

He has earned a raise from the $1.225 million he currently makes, but will still almost certainly provide more per dollar than most top six forwards in this league.

Curtis Lazar

Once a highly touted prospect, Curtis Lazar has not quite lived up to the potential that the Ottawa Senators saw in him when they drafted him 17th overall in 2013 but perhaps coming home would help him find his groove.

Canucks fans seem to have a soft spot for BC boys, and Lazar is exactly that. Born in Salmon Arm and raised in Vernon, signing with the Canucks would bring him home.

The Right Winger is responsible in his own end and contributes the occasional goal. With eight goals and eight assists in 70 games for the Boston Bruins this year, the pending UFA might be available at league minimum, at which point the risks are low for the cap-strapped Canucks.

Vladislav Namestnikov

It is well documented that young players from overseas tend to adjust to North America better when they have a fellow countryman that has been here for a while showing them the ropes. Evgeni Malkin had Sergei Gonchar; the Sedins had Markus Naslund and Mattias Ohlund; Elias Pettersson had Alex Edler and Jacob Markstrom. A player like Vladislav Namestnikov could boost the development of Vasily Podkolzin (and dare we say Andrei Kuzmenko?).

The 29-year-old centre had 30 points in 60 games this year with the Detroit Red Wings and the Dallas Stars. He operated at a cap hit of $2 million each of the past two years, and might be available on a similar contract this year. He would provide secondary scoring in addition to his primary job as a Russian mentor.

Even if it’s not Namestnikov, the Canucks should still consider a veteran Russian to help Podkolzin feel at home. Players such as Alex Galchenyuk (who is American but grew up in Russia), Alex Radulov, Valeri Nichushkin, and Nikita Zadorov may be suitable for the task.

If the Canucks can re-sign the guys that have been effective and bring in a veteran or two to round out their bottom six, they will be better equipped to handle an 82-game season. While they currently have the luxury of three 30-goal scorers and (almost) a 100-point guy, there’s a good chance they will have to rely more heavily on secondary scoring to get the job done going forward.

Next. Five players the Canucks could draft with the 15th overall pick. dark

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