LATEST | Patrik Allvin could score big: offer sheet a restricted free agent star

The Canucks turned a page earlier this season when Jim Rutherford took the stage and announced the team would be going into a retooling phase. They've moved and acquired big pieces in that regard since they laid their plans out and it's only the beginning.

They've traded notable players in Bo Horvat and Luke Schenn acquiring in return Filip Hronek, Anthony Beauvilier, Aatu Raty, and a few picks. In the midst of their retooling, they could have in mind to pull a ‘coup d'éclat' that would send them years ahead in their development.

Teams have only used hostile offers a handful of times, most recently, a saga was created between the Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes when Marc Bergevin had offer sheeted the star centerman Sebastian Aho and the Hurricanes countered later with an offer sheet to Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

Patrik Allvin could very well have a similar strategy in mind and shock the whole hockey world. Here are the three names that could fit the Canucks needs, but are also candidates for a potential offer sheet:


1. K'Andre Miller

On the verge of stardom, the Rangers' young gun will most likely be demanding an astronomic raise after he put in an impressive 43 points this season with limited power-play opportunities. The Rangers are in a really tough spot financially since they already re-sign Filip Chytil, will be losing key pieces to the UFAs (Vladimir Tarasenko, Patrick Kane notably), and also have Alexis Lafreniere that needs a new deal. The ongoing thought is that the defenseman could be asking for somewhere in the mid-4s to possibly even $5M.

It would cost the Canucks a 1st Rounder and a 3rd Rounder if they were to sign him in that price range.

2. Evan Bouchard

A right-handed defenseman who needs no presentation. Also coming off his ELC, he'll be commanding a hefty raise, one the Oilers will have a hard making with their cap situation along with their trade deadline acquisition. The belief is that there would be discord between both negotiating parties on whether or not he'll be getting a bridge-deal or long-term straight away. Bouchard just came off of back-to-back 40-point seasons and he's even added an impressive 17 during this year's post-season.

Bouchard is looking at a similar deal to Miller and would most likely cost a 1st and a 3rd.

3. Gabe Vilardi

The LA centerman who finally had his break-out season, good enough for 41 points in 63 games the former first-round pick took everyone by surprise this season. The Canucks are in need of a capable centerman, who's preferably in his early 20s (he's 23) and the Kings are looking to shed some money to sign a goaltender or re-sign Joonas Korpisalo. Due to his injury history, he's most likely looking at a bridge deal

Vilardi will probably be signing a similar one to Kirby Dach, the Canadiens' youngster signed a 4-year deal worth $13.45M ($3.362M AAV) an offer sheet in that price range would cost the Canucks a 2nd Round Pick.

SOURCE: Sportsnet