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Vancouver Canucks Eyeing Big Veteran Acquisitions This Offseason, Starting with One Key Name
Photo credit: NHL.com
A former top-three pick has been named as a potential free agent target for the Vancouver Canucks and General Manager Patrik Allvin when the market opens on July 1st.
It could be a busy summer in Vancouver, especially after Jim Rutherford revealed last week that the team will be aggressive on the free agent and trade markets in order to upgrade their roster to avoid missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a second consecutive year.
There are a number of areas of the roster that Patrik Allvin will need to address and one of those is adding a veteran presence to the dressing room, with Jamie Benn and even former Stanley Cup champion Reilly Smith mentioned as potential targets, assuming they make it to the free agent market.
Former second overall pick named as potential free agent target
In a recent article on Daily Hive, Noah Strang examined some of those veteran free agents that the Vancouver Canucks could target on Canada Day and one intriguing name mention is former second overall pick James Van Riemsdyk.
Strang believes that Van Riemsdyk could slot in on the Vancouver Canucks' third line, while also seeing some power play time and would be a good mentor for younger players on the team's roster.
"James van Riemsdyk made his debut in 2009 and has scored double-digit goals every season since. At this point in his career, he's ideally a third-line scoring threat who can help on the power play." Strang said.
He added, "Van Riemsdyk has played nearly 1,100 NHL games and would be a prime example of a true professional for the young Canucks."
He added, "Van Riemsdyk has played nearly 1,100 NHL games and would be a prime example of a true professional for the young Canucks."
The Middletown, New Jersey native was selected second overall back in 2007 by the Philadelphia Flyers and has gone on to appear in over 1,000 NHL games with them, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets.
While Van Riemsdyk's days of being a 25+ goal scorer are likely behind him at this point, if he can come in and contribute 15 goals, be a strong leader in the dressing room at a low salary in the range of $850,000 to $1 million USD, then it could be a big win for the Vancouver Canucks.
Source: Daily Hive/Noah Strang
7 veteran free agents Vancouver Canucks could sign to help lead dressing room
7 veteran free agents Vancouver Canucks could sign to help lead dressing room
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
MAI 20 | 1068 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks Eyeing Big Veteran Acquisitions This Offseason, Starting with One Key Name Should the Vancouver Canucks pursue James Van Riemsdyk when the free agent market opens? | ||
| Yes | 309 | 28.9 % |
| No | 759 | 71.1 % |
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