Vancouver Canucks Emerge as Likely Landing Spot for Former Capitals Stanley Cup Champion
Photo credit: NHL
The Vancouver Canucks have been named as a potential option for a former Stanley Cup champion who is looking to return to the National Hockey League next season.
Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin isn't done adding to the team's roster just yet, with the team having their sights set on landing some depth down the middle ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
As the offseason rolls on, Vancouver's options are going to dwindle down even further, but there is one very intriguing free agent still available that could be a great addition to the team's lineup.
Former Stanley Cup champion named as possible option for Vancouver Canucks
Throughout the summer, the Canucks been linked to a number of players including two of the top free agent centerman available back on July 1st, Mikael Granlund and Christian Dvorak, even making big offers to both player, but they ultimately decided to sign elsewhere.
Another player the Vancouver Canucks have been in talks with recently is unrestricted free agent forward Jack Roslovic, who tied a career-high in goals last season and could end up costing quite a bit, potentially above $3 million AAV on his next deal.
While it's certainly possible the Canucks could get something done with Roslovic in the near future, the front office is keeping their options open and another name has emerged as a potential fit - Evgeny Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov, a native of Chelyabinsk, Russia, had his NHL contract terminated by the Carolina Hurricanes last summer and went on to sign a four-year deal in the KHL with SKA St. Peterburg.
In his first season in the KHL since 2013-14, Kuznetsov was solid, registering 37 points (12 goals, 25 assists) in 39 games, but after being elimination in the Gagarin Cup Playoffs, SKA St. Peterburg underwent a slew of changes.
Among the changes included Ivan Demidov, Alexander Nikishin and Arseny Gritsyuk signing their entry-level contracts with the Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils, respectively, Head Coach Roman Rotenberg was fired and Evgeny Kuznetsov & the club mutually agreed to terminate the final three years of his deal.
Now that Kuznetsov is an unrestricted free agent, he wants to return to the National Hockey League and was recently linked to the Vancouver Canucks given their need for another centerman.
"After trading J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers during the 2024-25 season and losing Pius Suter in free agency to the St. Louis Blues this summer, the Vancouver Canucks could use another center." Michael DeRosa of The Hockey News said.
He added, "If the Canucks signed Kuznetsov, he would create some competition for the Canucks' second-line center spot with Chytil. Even if he slotted in as Vancouver's third-line center, he would still improve their depth down the middle."
He added, "If the Canucks signed Kuznetsov, he would create some competition for the Canucks' second-line center spot with Chytil. Even if he slotted in as Vancouver's third-line center, he would still improve their depth down the middle."
With Kuznetsov reportedly willing to take a contract with a low salary in the range of $1-2 million along with performance bonuses, as mentioned by David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period recently, the Vancouver Canucks should be all over this because, at worst, he could center the team's third line and brings a ton of experience and can give valuable advice to younger players on the roster.
Source: Michael DeRosa/The Hockey News
Three Potential NHL Landing Spots For Evgeny Kuznetsov In 2025-26
Three Potential NHL Landing Spots For Evgeny Kuznetsov In 2025-26
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| POLL | ||
JUILLET 28 | 1991 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks Emerge as Likely Landing Spot for Former Capitals Stanley Cup Champion Should the Vancouver Canucks sign Evgeny Kuznetsov? | ||
| Yes | 1271 | 63.8 % |
| No | 720 | 36.2 % |
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