With the Stanley Cup Final over and the draft coming up in a few days, people are starting to talk about free agency, and when it comes to the Canucks, there are a few intriguing names about to hit the market. We’ll take a look at each of them in our Vancouver Canucks Free Agent Preview.
Note: Player has to have played at least one game with the Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks Free Agent Preview
Brad Richardson – Center (UFA)
Despite being injured for long stretches of the campaign, Richardson was able to prove to Canucks spectators he can be a very serviceable depth forward for the club. Whether it be by winning faceoffs or chipping in offensively, the 30-year-old was always a helpful presence in the bottom-six when healthy. However, if the Canucks decide they want to get younger at the 4th line center position, they may look to Linden Vey, Jared McCann or Cole Cassels to fill that role instead.
They could get him for cheap (he is damaged goods after all), but it may be a case of simply not requiring his services. We shall see. What the Canucks decide to do at center should be an interesting storyline to watch.
Shawn Matthias – Center (UFA)
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Matthias, who will almost certainly be looking to cash in on a career-high 18-goal campaign in 2014-15, despite the fact it’s very rare he matches that sort of production in the coming years. Matthias, 27, is a big body that can play both wing and up the middle, so he has the upside to be a very effective player. Whether he can put all together consistently is another question. In any case, it’s very doubtful that he’ll be in a Canucks jersey next season, as they likely can’t afford the raise he’ll be seeking over his $1.75 million cap hit.
Alex Biega – Defenseman (UFA)
Biega only played a few games last year, but he scored in his first one, and he was relatively solid in all of them. The 27-year-old was also a key player for the Comets, so it would be a bit surprising if “Bulldog” wasn’t brought back for at least one more year, likely on a two-way contract near the league minimum.
Sven Baertschi – Left Wing (RFA)
As close to a sure bet as you’ll find, it’s all but guaranteed Baertschi will be with the Canucks next season, and in all likelihood, in a top-six capacity. The skilled youngster tore up the AHL during his time with the Comets (30 points in 36 combined regular season and playoff games), and the 22-year-old will try to establish himself as a full-time NHL’er this coming year.
Brandon McMillan – Left Wing (RFA)
Nothing more than a depth forward, it’s unlikely that MacMillan, claimed off waivers from the Coyotes, will be back next season considering all the youth in the pipeline and the lack of offense he’s provided at the NHL level (he managed just one goal and three assists in 58 games split between Arizona and Vancouver in 2014-15). Perhaps he’ll be given another contract as support for the Comets, but even that seems rather doubtful at this point for the 25-year-old.
Linden Vey – Center/Right Wing (RFA)
The most maligned Canucks forward throughout pretty much the entire campaign, Vey was given plenty of opportunity to produce, often receiving very respectable power play minutes, but wasn’t able to put up points on a consistent basis (netting 10 goals and 24 points in 75 games), and also didn’t contribute much to the defensive well-being of the team. Despite all that however, Vey is a near lock to be resigned, due to his potential to become a decent point-getter and coach Willie Desjardins‘ love for the young forward, but his role on the team is a bit foggy at this point, and it doesn’t seem as though he’ll exactly cash in this summer.
Yannick Weber – Defenseman (RFA)
Weber was signed back in 2013 as mere defensive depth, but has since established himself as a staple of the Canucks blueline, and had a very successful 2014-15 season, scoring 11 goals in 65 games. There’s an apparent logjam on the Canucks’ right side , so unless they can move Kevin Bieksa out of Vancouver, Weber may not return next year.
Frankie Corrado – Defenseman (RFA)
After several years of seasoning at the AHL level, with both the Chicago Wolves and the Comets, Corrado finally appears ready to be an everyday NHL’er, and is a near-lock to be re-signed by the club. The only scenario where Corrado would not be retained by the organization is if they value Weber over him, which seems unlikely considering Corrado, is four years younger.
Ryan Stanton – Defenseman (RFA)
After a promising first season under John Tortorella that saw Stanton become an every game defenceman for the Canucks, he took a bit of a step backwards this season, not seeing as much game time (10 less games to be exact), and being less effective defensively when in the lineup. It wouldn’t be a shock if the organization let Stanton go, but considering the lack of depth on the left side, you shouldn’t bet on it.
Jacob Markstrom – Goaltender (RFA)
Of all the players mentioned within this post, Markstrom is the least likely to leave due to the Canucks cutting him loose (whether he leaves via trade is another story.) The 25-year-old had an incredible playoff run in Utica (posting a 2.11 GAA and a .925 SV% in 23 games), which may push Eddie Lack out of the organization. If he does stay with the Canucks, he will be backing up Ryan Miller due to a Lack trade, giving him his first full-time NHL job since coming to Vancouver last April.
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