Vancouver Canucks Hit with Major Offseason Setback in Pursuit of Big-Name Acquisitions
Photo credit: Sportsnet
While the Vancouver Canucks players are gearing up for a long offseason, general manager Patrik Allvin and President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford are facing some pretty setbacks when it comes to enticing players to sign with the organization.
Other than constant rumors swirling around the Canucks and the announcement that they signed 22-year-old prospect Anri Ravinskis to his entry-level deal on Thursday, Allvin and Rutherford have both been pretty quiet when it comes to making moves early this offseason.
"General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the #Canucks have agreed to terms with forward Anri Ravinskis on a two-year, entry-level contract starting in 2025.26." the Canucks said on X.
A lot of factors and reports are coming to the surface that indicate the team will face major setbacks and challenges when trying to get players and free-agents to want to play for the Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks facing major challenges this offseason
The first of which is Rick Tocchet deciding to leave the organization after just two season behind the bench.
It is pretty unheard of for a head coach to leave on his own terms so early in his tenure, especially for the reason he gave. It is not a good look on the team and it's culture to have a Jack Adams winning coach to want to jet out of town so quickly.
The comes the issues within the locker room, where a highly publicized rift between J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson plagued the 2024-2025 season, causing insane distractions for everyone involved.
Players want to join an organization that has a strong culture where everyone buys into the same plan and future while also having the chance to compete for a Stanley Cup.
These were all big factors that contributed to Jake DeBrusk signing a monster 7-year deal last offseason.
He spoke about the excitement to join a team that just won the division with an amazing head coach (Rick Tocchet) and about getting the chance to play with big stars in EP40 and J.T. Miller, but clearly, all those attractors no longer exist in Vancouver after just one season.
«There are lots of things that go into it, and you get to play with (Elias) Pettersson or (J.T.) Miller. It's a team that's ready to win and a city that's ready to win,» DeBrusk gushed after signing. «Vancouver really pushed hard and really wanted me. I'm very confident and very excited.
«I've been overwhelmed and feel very honored. I like the way they play. Hard to play against. It's a great opportunity for me. Lots of punch there.»
«I've been overwhelmed and feel very honored. I like the way they play. Hard to play against. It's a great opportunity for me. Lots of punch there.»
Free agents are going to look at DeBrusk's experience and all these things mentioned above when deciding of this is where they want to play, and to be honest, there is not a lot going for the team that will make these players line up to sign... That is just the reality.
Not to mention its a Canadian market, with a hard fan base and media with high tax rights, but those factors are a separate story for another day.
Source: The Province
Canucks: Why Vancouver is now a harder sell to lure NHL free agents
Canucks: Why Vancouver is now a harder sell to lure NHL free agents
Previously on CanucksDaily
| POLL | ||
MAI 23 | 1547 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks Hit with Major Offseason Setback in Pursuit of Big-Name Acquisitions Do you think the Vancouver Canucks are going to have a hard time getting layers to want to play here? | ||
| Yes | 1226 | 79.3 % |
| No | 321 | 20.7 % |
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