The Canuck Way
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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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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.

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