The Canuck Way
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Former Canucks who are still UFAs

By Brogan Houston

CALGARY, AB - JANUARY 29: Tyler Motte #64 of the Vancouver Canucks in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on January 29, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Flames defeated the Canucks 1-0 in overtime. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - JANUARY 29: Tyler Motte #64 of the Vancouver Canucks in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on January 29, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Flames defeated the Canucks 1-0 in overtime. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /
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#5 — Alex Chiasson

Alex Chiasson. Credit: Derek Cain-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Chiasson. Credit: Derek Cain-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s clear why Braden Holtby hasn’t signed a contract, but it’s less clear why fellow former Capital, Star and Canuck Alex Chiasson has yet to put pen to paper.

Cursed to sign never-ending PTOs, Chiasson worked his butt off for the Canucks this year and was rewarded with 13 goals in 67 games. Although he’s not the guy that scores every night, he contributes a goal here and there and is responsible at both ends of the ice. He’s good on the powerplay and provides veteran leadership as well as a winning pedigree.

Low-dollar, high-value bottom-six veterans like Chiasson are necessary for any successful team — look at what Darren Helm and Andrew Cogliano just did for the Stanley Cup winning Colorado Avalanche.

Unfortunately, it seems that the Canucks no longer have a place in the lineup for Chiasson’s services. But that doesn’t mean he has no value. Chiasson would be a great addition to any squad in the league that has room for a bottom-six forward — a gap that the Canucks have already filled. On a Cup-contending team, he would eat minutes as a responsible bottom-six forward. On a lottery-contending team, he would provide leadership from the middle six.

#4 — Jonathan Dahlen

The Canucks’ return on the Alex Burrows trade, Jonathan Dahlen, had a relatively successful rookie season for the San Jose Sharks this year. The Canucks dealt Dahlen to the Sharks in 2019 for Linus Karlsson, who became the ninth-leading scorer in the SHL this year.

Dahlen posted 12 goals and 22 points in 61 games for the Sharks this season, averaging 13:48 of ice time per contest. His defensive game needs work, but as he gains experience at the NHL level, he will get better.

The Sharks chose not to extend Dahlen a qualifying offer, so he became a UFA this summer. He would be a fairly risk-free pickup for any team, as he would likely sign a low-dollar, low-term, two-way deal. He could really break out this season and give a team a valuable player at a low cost. If he didn’t perform well, he could play out the season in the minors and not cost the team much at all.

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