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Vancouver Canucks' Second Line Center Target Officially Stolen Off the Market Ahead of Free Agency
A Vancouver Canucks second line center target is officially off the market ahead of the opening of free agency in a little less than four weeks from today.
It's going to be an interesting offseason for the Vancouver Canucks as General Manager Patrik Allvin and President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford say they'll be aggressive on the free agent and trade fronts in order to fill some holes the team has in their forward group.
One area the Vancouver Canucks need to address this summer is the second line center position and several options have been mentioned for them to consider, but some have already re-signed with their current team, including Noah Cates with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Vancouver Canucks center target re-signs with the Colorado Avalanche
While the Vancouver Canucks are more likely to find a second line centerman through the trade market rather than free agency, there were still a handful of names that could've been good fits on Adam Foote's roster next season.
One of those players that was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st was former first-round pick Brock Nelson, however, he's going to be sticking around in Colorado for a few years after the team made an announcement on Wednesday.
In a social media post, the Colorado Avalanche shared that they've signed Brock Nelson to a three-year contract worth $22.5 million USD, eliminating the possibility of the Vancouver Canucks, or any other team, from landing him as a free agent on Canada Day.
Nelson commented on the signing today saying that he's happy that his family and him are able to stay in Colorado and that he's had a great time with the Avalanche since being acquired by them from the New York Islanders back in March.
"My family and I are excited to be staying in Colorado. Having spent my entire career with one organization, we weren't totally sure what to expect when we arrived in Denver. But getting the opportunity to play for the Avalanche, to compete with a great group of teammates in that locker room, and in front of the tremendous fans at Ball Arena, we knew this was where we wanted to stay." Nelson said.
He added, "I'd like to thank the Kroenke family, Joe Sakic, Chris MacFarland, Jared Bednar and our coaching staff for the opportunity. Obviously the way the season ended last year was disappointing, but I can't wait to get back on the ice soon and continue to push for our goal of winning the Stanley Cup."
He added, "I'd like to thank the Kroenke family, Joe Sakic, Chris MacFarland, Jared Bednar and our coaching staff for the opportunity. Obviously the way the season ended last year was disappointing, but I can't wait to get back on the ice soon and continue to push for our goal of winning the Stanley Cup."
Nelson, a native of Warroad, Minnesota, spent his entire National Hockey League career with the New York Islanders before being traded to Colorado ahead of the deadline in early March.
In 80 games this season between the Islanders and Avalanche, Nelson had 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists), 18 penalty minutes and was a plus-eight before going on to add four assists in seven contests during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
With Brock Nelson now off the board, Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford will have to pivot and take a look at several other options, likely on the trade market and possibly someone that could be a fit in Vancouver is Minnesota Wild RFA forward Marco Rossi.
Source: Colorado Avalanche
Avalanche Signs Nelson
Avalanche Signs Nelson
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| POLL | ||
JUIN 4 | 1688 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks' Second Line Center Target Officially Stolen Off the Market Ahead of Free Agency Are you disappointed that the Vancouver Canucks are now unable to land Brock Nelson in free agency? | ||
| Yes | 466 | 27.6 % |
| No | 1222 | 72.4 % |
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