Vancouver Canucks Reportedly Eyeing A Pair of Utah Mammoth Forwards in Free Agency
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The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly eyeing up a pair of Utah Mammoth forwards in free agency, which is set to open at 9:01 am PT on Canada Day.
With less than one week away from the opening of the National Hockey League's free agency window, it's unclear how active the Vancouver Canucks will be, despite them having a few areas they'd like to address.
Jim Rutherford promised to fans last month that the team will be aggressive in this summer and so far they have been, acquiring Evander Kane from Edmonton, along with making an offer for Marco Rossi and at this point, it seems more likely than not that the Canucks will add another piece or two via the trade market.
However, if they make it to July 1st with some holes that still need to be filled, it looks like the organization has a couple of players that they're eyeing up, assuming they make it to the open market.
Vancouver Canucks reportedly interested in a pair of Utah Mammoth forwards
In an article on The Athletic on Friday morning, Thomas Drance and Rick Dhaliwal gave an update on the Vancouver Canucks' search for forward help this summer.
According to Drance and Dhaliwal, the Vancouver Canucks may pursue Michael Carcone and Nick Bjugstad of the Utah Mammoth on July 1st as both players are set to become unrestricted free agents.
"There are a pair of Utah's pending unrestricted free agents who are very much on our radar from a Canucks perspective heading into July 1.
We've been told to watch for the club to pursue Michael Carcone, who began his professional career as an undrafted free-agent signing by the Canucks during Mike Gillis' tenure, and Nick Bjugstad if they make it to market." Drance and Dhaliwal said.
We've been told to watch for the club to pursue Michael Carcone, who began his professional career as an undrafted free-agent signing by the Canucks during Mike Gillis' tenure, and Nick Bjugstad if they make it to market." Drance and Dhaliwal said.
Bjugstad, 32, was a former first round pick of the Florida Panthers back in 2010 and while he might not be the most ideal candidate for Vancouver's second line center hole, he could certainly provide some depth for the club, especially with Pius Suter expected to hit the market on July 1st.
In 66 games with Utah this season, the Minneapolis, Minnesota native put up 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists), 16 penalty minutes and was a minus-two.
As for Michael Carcone, who spent some time in the Vancouver Canucks organization between 2016 and 2018 after being signed as an undrafted free agent, he could also provide some depth for Patrik Allvin, which in turn could also allow some of the team's prospects to remain in Abbotsford for development purposes.
The 29-year-old winger took a bit of a step back in his second full season in the National Hockey League, registering 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists), 36 penalty minutes and was a minus-seven in 53 games.
While Vancouver might not be a top destination for any free agent this summer given the drama that went on this past season, there's no question that Patrik Allvin will still be able to land a few players on July 1st, all of whom will likely be for depth purposes as a big name is probably out of the question right now.
Source: Thomas Drance & Rick Dhaliwal/The Athletic
What we're hearing about the Canucks' extension talks, trade efforts and draft plans
What we're hearing about the Canucks' extension talks, trade efforts and draft plans
| POLL | ||
JUIN 27 | 1318 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks Reportedly Eyeing A Pair of Utah Mammoth Forwards in Free Agency Which Utah Mammoth forward do you think the Vancouver Canucks have a better chance at landing on July 1st? | ||
| Michael Carcone | 468 | 35.5 % |
| Nick Bjugstad | 850 | 64.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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