The Canuck Way
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Five depth forwards the Canucks could target in free agency

By Joshua Rey

MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 19: Colin White #36 of the Ottawa Senators prepares to take a faceoff during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on March 19, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 19: Colin White #36 of the Ottawa Senators prepares to take a faceoff during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on March 19, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Dec 4, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues (9) celebrates a goal scored by forward Sidney Crosby (87) on Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko (35) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Pittsburgh won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues (9) celebrates a goal scored by forward Sidney Crosby (87) on Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko (35) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Pittsburgh won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /

#2: Evan Rodrigues

Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin may want to bring in a player from his old stomping grounds in Pittsburgh.

Evan Rodrigues is another player who is right-handed and can play two positions. He is naturally a right winger but can also play centre. He is coming off a one-year, one-million-dollar contract.

Last season was a season of career highs for Rodrigues. He scored 19 goals and managed 24 assists for 43 points in 82 games.

At the age of 28, Rodrigues looks to be a late bloomer. He is a solid playmaker with a nice shot. Below, he beats Thatcher Demko short side in a game against the Canucks in November.

https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1463682616641605639?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1463682616641605639%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthecanuckway.com%2F2021%2F11%2F24%2Fcanucks-three-takeaways-4-1-loss-penguins%2F

According to DobberHockey’s contract projections, Rodrigues’ next contract could have an AAV of 2.3 million dollars. I have a feeling it could be around the 2.5 to three million dollar range with a two or three-year term or perhaps more than three million.

For the Canucks, they would benefit from Rodrigues’ offensive ability in their bottom six. However, there is no guarantee that he can continue his offensive form.

#3: Mason Marchment

Mason Marchment can play on both wings and is coming off a one-year $800,000 contract.

He is due for a raise. That’s because last season, he had a career-high 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 points in 54 games with the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Florida Panthers. Marchment came out of nowhere and went from a fringe player to a solid bottom-six forward on an elite team.

Marchment brings size standing at 6’4″ and 209 pounds. The 27-year-old is a physical player and his 114 hits were fifth on the Panthers last season. Marchment would bring grit and offensive upside to the Canucks lineup. He is the type of player that you would want in your bottom six.

Marchment also isn’t afraid to drop the gloves.

https://twitter.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1488696441027452928

Marchment’s advanced stats are also very good. He was first on the Panthers among players who played at least 300 minutes at 5 on 5 last season in Corsi for with 60.62%, goals for percentage with 68% and a High Danger Corsi for percentage of 63.10% according to NaturalStatTrick.

According to EvolvingHockey, (credit to BlueSeatBlogs.Com for finding this out first) Marchment’s next contract is at three years and 2.45 million dollars. Dobber projects Marchment’s AAV to be at 3.8 million dollars. The Panthers only have 774,116 in cap space and we don’t know if they can find a way to afford to keep him.

I like what Marchment brings but like Rodrigues, the question is: Is his play sustainable or was last season a mirage? If he hits free agency, the Canucks should be calling his agent.

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