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4 players that did not receive qualifying offers the Canucks could consider

By Joshua Rey |
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 26: Nicolas Aube-Kubel #16 of the Colorado Avalanche carries the Stanley Cup following the series winning victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 26, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 26: Nicolas Aube-Kubel #16 of the Colorado Avalanche carries the Stanley Cup following the series winning victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 26, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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The Vancouver Canucks still have not made a move this offseason. But things could change any minute. Who knows? Maybe there will be a trade by the team this article is published.

According to CapFriendly, the Canucks only have 2.14 million in cap space but thanks to Micheal Ferland being on LTIR, their cap space is likely around 5.64 million. Yeah, it isn’t much.

Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford spoke to Iain MacIntyre of Sportsnet about free agency and the lack of cap space on Monday.

It’s hard not to argue with Rutherford’s comments. The Canucks should make trades for cap space but they can’t make a trade just for making the sake of making a trade. It’s best for them to think things through and be patient.

Monday was also the day qualifying offers were due for restricted free agents. Many players did not receive qualifying offers and will hit the market as unrestricted free agents.

The Canucks qualified Michael DiPietro but not Justin Bailey, Juho Lammikko and Matthew Highmore. So it looks like Rutherford, Patrik Allvin and company want to reshape the fourth line.

Let’s take a look at four players that did not receive qualifying offers on Monday. The Canucks should consider targeting them. The best part? They could sign for cheap.

#1: Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Nicolas Aube-Kubel is coming off winning the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche.

He played 14 games during the Avalanche’s run to the Cup but had zero points. In the regular season, he played seven games and got one assist with the Philadelphia Flyers before the Avalanche claimed him off waivers. Aube-Kubel provided depth for the Avalanche and in 67 games in Colorado, he scored 11 goals and managed 11 assists.

Perhaps he is best known for falling with the Stanley Cup before the team picture and damaging it in the process.

In all seriousness, Aube-Kubel is a strong forechecker and displays good two-way ability.

The 25-year-old was coming off a two-year 1.07 million dollar contract. On a one or two-year deal with a similar cap hit, Aube-Kubel could provide two-way abilities on the Canucks fourth line.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 06: Sonny Milano #12 of the Anaheim Ducks splits the defense of Erik Gudbranson #44 and Dillon Dube #29 of the Calgary Flames during the first period of a game at Honda Center on April 06, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 06: Sonny Milano #12 of the Anaheim Ducks splits the defense of Erik Gudbranson #44 and Dillon Dube #29 of the Calgary Flames during the first period of a game at Honda Center on April 06, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

#2: Sonny Milano

Sonny Milano put up career-high numbers with the Anaheim Ducks last season. The winger (He can play both left and right) scored 14 goals and 20 assists for 34 points in 66 games.

He’ll want a raise from his 1.7 million dollar contract. It will probably be just a little over two million dollars and likely on a one-year deal.

Milano was originally drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets 16th overall in 2014. Given how high he was drafted, you could say he has become a disappointment.

However, Milano has proved to be a useful NHLer in a bottom-six role. Milano would provide speed and creativity to the Canucks lineup. He also was good defensively for the Ducks last season.

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1466983056326238220

The underlying numbers also show Milano was very good last season. Why wasn’t he qualified by the Ducks? Maybe they didn’t want to take him to arbitration.

A playmaking winger with speed would really benefit the Canucks bottom six and would provide them with a boost of secondary scoring.

#3: Haydn Fleury

Haydn Fleury is left-handed but can also play on the right side.

Fleury played 36 games with the Seattle Kraken last season and put up two goals and two assists. He was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes seventh overall in 2014 and did not live up to his potential.

However, he has stuck around in the NHL as a bottom-pairing defenceman. Fleury isn’t a puck-moving defenceman and won’t put up big offensive numbers but he is effective at both ends of the rink.

He would provide defensive depth for the Canucks and it would be worth kicking tires.

TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 20: Ty Ronning #7 of the Hartford Wolf Pack watches the play develop against the Toronto Marlies during AHL game action on October 20, 2018 at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 20: Ty Ronning #7 of the Hartford Wolf Pack watches the play develop against the Toronto Marlies during AHL game action on October 20, 2018 at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /

#4: Ty Ronning

This is a player who is a long shot at making the NHL but would be better for the Abbotsford Canucks.

Ty Ronning was drafted in the seventh round, 201st overall in 2016 by the New York Rangers. He has not played a game with the Rangers and has spent his entire professional career with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. Last season, he had 18 goals and 21 assists in 69 games in Hartford.

The former Vancouver Giant and son of former Canuck Cliff Ronning would provide offence in Abbotsford and has got some wheels.

https://twitter.com/WolfPackAHL/status/1485349954717720576

According to CHEK TV’s Rick Dhaliwal, the Canucks are interested in Ronning.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea. Ronning would provide some excitement in Abbotsford with his offensive capabilities.

Five depth forwards the Canucks could target in free agency. dark. Next

Let me know in the comments below, in the Facebook comments or on Twitter what you think of these four players and let me know other players you would like to see the Canucks sign in free agency!

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