Canucks Insiders Hint at Which Former First-Round Pick May End Up Signing With Vancouver
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A former first round pick has been named as a free agent target for the Vancouver Canucks to take a look at, assuming he makes it to the open market on Canada Day.
The Vancouver Canucks are more than likely going to be in the market for a top-six winger this summer as long-time forward Brock Boeser is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, leaving a big hole in the team's forward group.
Patrik Allvin is hoping to work out a deal with Brock Boeser and his camp to avoid him hitting the open market, but if that doesn't happen, there won't be a shortage of options for the club to look at on both the free agent and trade markets.
Former first rounder named as potential free agent target for Vancouver Canucks
Harman Dayal and Thomas Drance of The Athletic recently shared a number of pending unrestricted free agents that the Vancouver Canucks could consider once the market opens, if they end up needing to replace Brock Boeser.
Jamie Benn, Jeff Skinner and Nikolaj Ehlers are some of the names mentioned by Dayal and Drance, but another intriguing name has been brought up - Marcus Johansson, a former first round pick of the Washington Capitals back in 2009.
At this stage of his career, Dayal and Drance believe that Marcus Johansson might be more suited for a depth role, probably on the third line, and would be a relatively cheap option for Patrik Allvin, with AFP Analytics projected that he's in line for a two-year deal at just over $2.3 million annually.
"Despite his advanced age, the 34-year-old Swedish left winger is still a remarkably quick skater. He can reliably chip in with 30-40 points and is a relatively low-maintenance middle-six contributor coming off an affordable $2 million cap hit. Johansson is a pass-first creator with plenty of experience meshing with skilled players throughout his career.
At the right price, however, Johansson would bolster a team's depth scoring." Dayal and Drance said.
At the right price, however, Johansson would bolster a team's depth scoring." Dayal and Drance said.
While Johansson might have only registered 34 points this season for Minnesota, the Landskrona native went to the 2025 IIHF World Championship where he represented the co-hosts, Sweden, and played very well, which could peak some teams interest this summer, perhaps even the Vancouver Canucks.
At the World Championship, Johansson put up eight points (four goals, four assists) in nine games, with two of his four goals coming against Denmark in the Bronze Medal Game, including the game-winner.
Marcus Johansson might not be the most ideal candidate for a top-six role in Vancouver next season, but Patrik Allvin will certainly consider all his options this summer and the 34-year-old could be an effective third line forward under newly-appointed Head Coach Adam Foote.
Source: Harman Dayal & Thomas Drance/The Athletic
Canucks free-agent targets: 10 top-six wingers who could help Vancouver score
Canucks free-agent targets: 10 top-six wingers who could help Vancouver score
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