Several former Canucks made available to Vancouver in free-agency
Photo credit: Sportsnet
The summer of 2025 will be an offseason sure to be full of changes for the Vancouver Canucks, but the team could look to some familiar faces in free agency as part of those changes.
With the departure of Rick Tocchet kicking off a summer off transition for the Canucks, the team is likely to look quite different from the head coach down, and it may be worth exploring some players who didn't quite fit under their head coach...
It was a tale of two players for Andrei Kuzmenko in Vancouver - and largely his entire NHL career - as the Russian sniper exploded with 39 goals in his first season in Vancouver, before dropping to just 8 in 43 games the following season, winding up as a healthy scratch on multiple occasions and eventually being dealt. The 29 year old found his scoring touch again after a move to LA this season, including 6 points in 6 playoff games. Kuzmenko clearly didn't fit in Rick Tocchet's system, and while he could improve in Vancouver under a different coach, he's far from a reliable option.
Acquired as offsetting salary in the Bo Horvat deal, Beauvillier played just 55 games with Vancouver over parts of two seasons before being dealt for a 5th round pick. This past deadline he was acquired by the Washington Capitals for a 2nd rounder, and has meshed well in the top 6 scoring 5 points in 5 playoff games. Washington may elect to keep him.
The former Canucks 5th rounder finally played a full season at the NHL level in Ottawa this year, managing 19 goals in 81 games playing in the bottom six. Gaudette won over half his faceoffs this year, and while still questionable in his own zone he's found a way to translate his NCAA and AHL scoring prowess to the NHL. His best offensive season came in Vancouver in 2019-20, where he scored 33 points in 49 games.
Another AHL journeyman who has seemingly found a way to stick in the NHL the past two seasons, Carcone scored 21 goals in limited ice time in 2023-24 with the Arizona Coyotes. While he started his career with the Vancouver organization, he only ever suited up for their AHL affiliate.
| POLL | ||
MAI 4 | 896 ANSWERS Several former Canucks made available to Vancouver in free-agency Which player would be the best addition in free agency for the Vancouver Canucks? | ||
| Anthony Beauvillier | 107 | 11.9 % |
| Michael Carcone | 119 | 13.3 % |
| Andrei Kuzmenko | 468 | 52.2 % |
| Adam Gaudette | 202 | 22.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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