Free Agent Targets for the Vancouver Canucks Begin to Emerge with Some Big Names Leading the Way
Some potential unrestricted free agent targets have begun to emerge for the Vancouver Canucks and Patrik Allvin ahead of the window opening on July 1st.
The Vancouver Canucks' management group is going to have some big decisions to make in the coming months as they look to put this season in the past and form a roster for the 2025-26 campaign that they believe can make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
As everyone knows by now, the Vancouver Canucks need to add some help down the middle, primarily at the 2C hole, which is currently occupied by Filip Chytil and in the last few weeks, a number of players have been suggested as potential fits including Jared McCann and Trevor Zegras.
Free agent center options begin to emerge for the Vancouver Canucks
In a recent article on The Athletic Thomas Drance and Harman Dayal took a look at some potential free agent center targets for the Vancouver Canucks, assuming these players hit the open market on Canada Day.
Undoubtedly the biggest name mentioned by Drance and Dayal is former Stanley Cup and 4 Nations Face-Off champion Sam Bennett, who is expected to be one of the hottest commodities on the free agent market, if the Florida Panthers aren't able to sign him to an extension.
"Because make no mistake, for the Canucks - or any of about 20 other NHL teams with the requisite level of cap flexibility - adding a player like Bennett to the lineup without any additional acquisition cost would be a home run.
Bennett will likely be the top UFA target this summer, if he even makes it to July 1." Drance and Dayal said.
Bennett will likely be the top UFA target this summer, if he even makes it to July 1." Drance and Dayal said.
In their most recent contract projections, AFP Analytics believe that Sam Bennett is in line for a six-year contract worth $6.63 million annually on the free agent market and with the Vancouver Canucks expected to have $16.72 million in cap space this summer, money-wise it could certainly work.
Other potential targets mentioned by Drance and Dayal on Tuesday include Christian Dvorak, Yanni Gourde, Ryan Donato, Mikael Granlund, Matt Duchene, Brock Nelson and Jack Roslovic.
Source: Thomas Drance & Harman Dayal/The Athletic
Canucks free-agent targets: 8 UFA centres who could fix Vancouver's top six
Canucks free-agent targets: 8 UFA centres who could fix Vancouver's top six
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
MAI 13 | 718 ANSWERS Free Agent Targets for the Vancouver Canucks Begin to Emerge with Some Big Names Leading the Way Which player do you think would be the best fit for the Vancouver Canucks? | ||
| Christian Dvorak | 104 | 14.5 % |
| Ryan Donato | 120 | 16.7 % |
| Mikael Granlund | 355 | 49.4 % |
| Yanni Gourde | 139 | 19.4 % |
| List of polls | ||