Former Canucks who are still UFAs

In the NHL’s annual game of musical chairs — better known as free agency — the music is winding down and a handful of players are still standing. A number of those stragglers are former Vancouver Canucks looking for new homes.

In this week’s edition of Bored Hockey Fans Trying to Entertain Themselves, we’ll look at some of these free agents, why they still haven’t signed, and what their careers might look like from here on out.

#6 — Braden Holtby

Although he wasn’t the best goalie the Canucks have ever had, Braden Holtby spent many years as one of the most trusted netminders in the league during his time with the Washington Capitals. That trust is proudly displayed in his trophy case in the form of a Vezina Trophy, a Jennings Trophy and Stanley Cup ring. He was also named a First-Team All-Star in 2016 and a Second-Team All-Star in 2017.

Needless to say, Holtby is experienced and he knows what it takes to succeed. He was much more successful this past season with the Dallas Stars than he was with the Canucks. Over 24 games, he maintained a .913 save percentage and a 2.78 goals against average — a huge bounce back from what he achieved the previous year.

So, why has Holtby not signed a contract yet? The answer is simple: he’s hurt. A lower-body injury suffered in March forced him to miss the last bit of the season. Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic recently reported that he’s likely to miss the entire season and retirement is a possibility.

It’s a shame that Holtby is not ready to play, as the Vegas Golden Knights are in desperate need of a solid goaltender with the news that Robin Lehner is expected to miss the entire season. Golden Knights fans saw first-hand how effective Holtby can be when they faced him in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. Of course, after that Vegas probably wouldn’t take him even if the only other option was strapping a shooter tutor to the net. But if they did pick him up, it would make for a great story.

#5 — Alex Chiasson

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.

#1 — Tyler Motte

It boggles my mind that Tyler Motte was not thrown a wad of cash and a multi-year deal the minute free agency opened.

The 27-year-old forward is perfect for a bottom-six role — a role that must not be overlooked, as the Tampa Bay Lightning proved in their recent success. He kills penalties, he blocks shots, and he pots fancy goals when you least expect them.

Rick Dhaliwal recently reported that four to five teams are seriously considering Motte, but that financial issues have prevented a deal from coming to fruition thus far.

Motte will certainly have a contract by the time the season starts, the only question is where. After all, if you’re Connor Bedard’s favourite player, someone will sign you.