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Five cheap free agent options for the Canucks

By Joshua Rey |
CALGARY, AB - MAY 15: Vladislav Namestnikov #92 of the Dallas Stars in action against the Calgary Flames during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 15, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Flames defeated the Stars 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - MAY 15: Vladislav Namestnikov #92 of the Dallas Stars in action against the Calgary Flames during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 15, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Flames defeated the Stars 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
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It will be interesting to see how the Vancouver Canucks approach free agency this summer.

For the past few years, the start of free agency was a day of dread for Canucks fans. It was a day when the Canucks would sign free agents but to lucrative contracts. Loui Eriksson, Jay Beagle and Tucker Poolman were among some of the players that got big paydays and their signings were divisive among the fans.

This time around, there is a new regime in place. Things are going to be different with Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin steering the ship. What kind of team will we see at training camp in September? We shall see.

The Canucks have a projected cap space of 11.523 million dollars according to CapFriendly. A big chunk of that cap space is likely going to be used for Brock Boeser’s next contract.

Free agency opens on July 13. With the Canucks cap situation, they are going to need to find players that are not only effective but come with cheap cap hits. There should be no more overpayments.

They are going to need help on the right side and on the bottom six so we will focus on those areas. Here are five free agents that the Canucks could potentially sign for cheap this July.

#1: Vladislav Namestikov, C, LW, RW

Vladislav Namestikov brings versatility since he can play all forward positions.

This past season, he was with the Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars. (He was traded to the Stars at the deadline for a fourth-round pick.) In 75 games, with Detroit and Dallas, he scored 16 goals and managed 14 assists for 30 points. Namestikov had a goal and an assist in the Stars’ seven-game first-round series against the Calgary Flames.

The 29-year-old is coming off a two-year contract worth two million dollars per season. Expect him to get a raise but not a huge one at a two or three-year deal.

Namestikov can provide depth scoring for the Canucks but he is much better defensively. The one thing he also excels at is the penalty kill which for the Canucks, was really bad last year especially before the changes were made to the organization.

There is a lot to like about Namestikov. He can provide offence but is much better at defence and can find chemistry with new linemates. A two or three-year deal at or below three million dollars would be good value.

He would also be a good mentor for fellow countryman Vasily Podkolzin as fellow writer Brogan Houston pointed out a few weeks ago.

EDMONTON, AB – MAY 10: Andreas Athanasiou #22 of the Los Angeles Kings skates against Ryan Nugent-Hopkins #93 of the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in Game Five of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 10, 2022 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB – MAY 10: Andreas Athanasiou #22 of the Los Angeles Kings skates against Ryan Nugent-Hopkins #93 of the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in Game Five of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 10, 2022 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

#2: Andreas Athanasiou, C/LW

Another player who is naturally a centre but can play on the wing.

Believe it or not, Andreas Athanasiou once scored 30 goals. That was when he was with the Red Wings in 2018-19. With the Los Angeles Kings this past season, Athanasiou only played 28 games due to COVID-19 and numerous injuries. He managed 11 goals and six assists in LA.

Athanasiou is not going to be brought in to score 30 goals. He is a guy the Canucks potentially sign for the fourth line and on it, he could provide some goals. Athanasiou is also a really fast player and that would be welcomed on the Canucks.

He is coming off a one-year contract worth 2.7 million dollars per season. Due to him missing a large chunk of games this past season, he could at a lower cap hit. Also due to the injuries and inconsistency, there is a risk in signing Athanasiou.

But at a cheap cap hit, the speed and depth scoring could be welcomed.

#3: Curtis Lazar, C

Curtis Lazar was once a highly touted Ottawa Senators prospect.

Drafted 17th overall by the Senators in 2017, he did not live up to expectations. However, he has stuck around in the NHL as a depth player. After leaving Ottawa, there were stints in Calgary and Buffalo and he spent the last two years with the Boston Bruins.

In Boston, he scored eight goals and managed eight assists this past season. Lazar is also a serviceable defensive centre. He was in the top ten among Bruins players who played 200 minutes or more at 5 on 5 in goals against per 60 and expected goals per 60 according to NaturalStatTrick.

The Salmon Arm BC native has also proven to be an effective penalty killer. Lazar gave up 48.11 scoring chances per 60 minutes on the penalty kill which was the third least on the Bruins this past season.

He is coming off a two-year contract worth $850,000 per season. Lazar is an effective fourth-liner and penalty killer and would look solid in a Canucks jersey. There is the local connection too. Maybe that will woo him over.

EDMONTON, AB – MAY 14: Troy Stecher #51 of the Los Angeles Kings takes a shot against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 14, 2022 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB – MAY 14: Troy Stecher #51 of the Los Angeles Kings takes a shot against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 14, 2022 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

#4: Troy Stecher, RHD

Canucks fans are familiar with Troy Stecher. The Richmond native played his first four seasons in Vancouver and was a fan favourite.

Stecher split the past season with the Red Wings and Kings this past season. He only played 29 games in Detroit and LA managing a goal and two assists. In four playoff games against the Edmonton Oilers, he scored twice and got two assists.

When he was the Canucks, Stecher displayed a high work ethic. He was very good at passing and moving the puck up the ice on the transitions. Defensively, he wasn’t too bad despite getting caught flat-footed at times.

A reunion with the mobile defenceman would be welcomed and would be a solid depth piece on the right side.

#5: Ilya Lubushkin, RHD

Ilya Lubushkin played 77 games with the Arizona Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored twice and managed 13 assists. Those were career-high numbers.

Lybushkin brings a physical presence. The 6’2″ 208-pound defenceman managed 187 hits this past season which was 35th in the NHL. Lybushkin had 94 hits with the Coyotes which was fifth on the team. With the Leafs, threw out 93 hits which was fourth on the team.

Defensively, Lybushkin makes the right plays in quiet but effective ways.

He is coming off a one-year contract worth 1.35 million. Lybushkin could provide defensive depth for the Canucks and add even more physicality. He would be a decent seventh defenceman for the Canucks.

Next. Canucks make multiple additions to player development staff. dark

Which other free agents do you think the Canucks could sign? Let us know in the comments below, in the Facebook comments or on Twitter.

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