It’s been quite the week for Vancouver Canucks fans. The most wonderful time of the year (entry draft) was followed quickly by the most terrifying (Canucks free agent spending day).
Canucks Free Agent Signings Busy, Calm
Perhaps it shouldn’t be as surprising as it seems that the Canucks didn’t sign a giant, multi-year deal. Local fans are still recovering from some system shock of the previous regime – one of whose deals will affect Vancouver until 2020-31.
But this isn’t the old regime at all. So far in two seasons, the biggest free-agent signing was Ilya Mikheyev‘s four-year, $4.75 million per deal. On Saturday, the “big” deal was Carson Soucy getting three years at $3.25 million per.
Given how weak Vancouver’s defence looked the day before, it’s a reasonable deal at a reasonable cost for an in-demand player. The team had three NHL-tested blue-liners going into free agency. More were needed, and more were gotten.
On the Blue Line
Vancouver is a team with needs. Specifically, improved higher-end defence and bottom-six players. It was a low bar to clear, and they managed it. More importantly, they did it without tying themselves to long-term deals.
Carson Soucy
Three years, $3.25 million
Soucy brings size and lots of hits. What he’s expected to bring to Vancouver is the ability to move up to the second pair. He hasn’t played that role yet in his career, but his professional career is only five years old. An opportunity is here for him to show what he can do.
Soucy can play both sides of the ice but is more likely tagged to play beside Filip Hronek. At least at the start of the season. He has a bit of offensive ability, but unless he’s placed on the third pair, he’s going to be in the support role.
This is what Vancouver had in mind when they signed Tucker Poolman to his four-year contract. Poolman, unfortunately, hasn’t had the chance to prove his worth, but finding an undervalued player to promote is the idea.
Soucy has a full no-trade clause in his contract for the first two years. In the final year that’s reduced to a 12-team list, so there is a bit of risk for the team. Given their needs, it’s a tolerable one.
Ian Cole
One year, $3 million
Ian Cole has been many things in his 13-year career, including a two-time Stanley Cup champion. His one-year deal with Vancouver has him pegged as surely as Soucy – riding with Quinn Hughes. Since Cole obviously doesn’t have the scoring chops Hughes does, his focus will be on defence.
The one-year deal with no trade protection means this Canucks free agent signing is as low-risk as it gets. Cole is skilled enough to play with Hughes but his experience means knows both sides of the ice. If things go wrong, he can be traded come the deadline.
Matt Irwin
One year, $775K
An undrafted veteran, Matt Irwin forced his way into the NHL two years after graduating from UMass. He hasn’t seen the AHL for a single game since four with Milwaukee in 2016-17. He hasn’t made the lineup every game, but has been kept available for all of them.
Again the Canucks are rewarding versatility, with Irwin able to play either side of the ice. He is a decent, all-around NHL-level player who can step in at a moment’s notice. And given Vancouver’s injury history, he’ll get plenty of opportunity.
The Keepers
Akito Hirose and Noah Juulsen were both given two-year, two-way deals, though Juulsen now needs to clear waivers. Juulsen spent a decent amount of time with Hughes last year, but he’ll be hard-pressed to with that spot.
Hirose has impressed with his calm play in seven NHL games, and Juulsen can bring a physical element with his skill. Both are likely to start in the AHL, though Hirose will get a long look.
The Canucks free agent signings they do manage at this “lower” level really show off Vancouver’s biggest advantage – payroll. The cap hit is still in place but with both of these players a high AHL salary is good protection.
Juulsen is scheduled to make $450K if he’s sent down next year, and Hirose’s AHL salary matches his NHL-level $800K in 2024-25. That’s going to make teams hunting for depth reluctant to claim them if the opportunity is there.
Sign on the Dot
Only one centre was added in the Canucks free agent splurge. Another was kept in the fold, but isn’t likely to see the NHL just yet.
Teddy Blueger
One year, $1.9 million
The Canucks went out looking for a third-line centre and came home with Teddy Blueger. For starters, he can now be called “Stanley Cup Champion Teddy Blueger” with always looks good on a resume.
It’s true he didn’t play many games for the Vegas Golden Knights, but he did add a goal and an assist in his six playoff games. Blueger’s early career was with the Pittsburgh Penguins, so there is a familiarity with him in management. They like what they saw, clearly.
Blueger is a solid faceoff guy and is often used when short-handed. Whether he can upgrade his even-strength play to take a third-line centre role is another question. If he can’t manage more than being a penalty-kill specialist, he’ll still be welcome, but that’s a steep price.
Vancouver needs scoring there that Sheldon Dries, Nils Åman and Dakota Joshua aren’t providing. We’ll see if Blueger can, but even if not his short-handed skills are needed.
Tristen Neilsen
Congratulations to an undrafted kid earning his two-way contract! The former Vancouver Giant has improved each year, and if that continues he can get his shot. His hard-nosed style would be a welcome addition.
Canucks Free Agents Bottom Line
These signings are reasonably thought out, often with some upside to them. Soucy can return the most – if he can fill a middle-pair role. Blueger seems the greatest risk for cost, as we haven’t really seen him produce like a third-line centre. But if he can, that will help a lot.
Even if those signings don’t produce as hoped, the Canucks have shored up a huge weakness. Last year was crushed early by spectacular, league-record-threateningly incompetent penalty-killing early on.
Soucy, Cole, Blueger, and even Irwin have all been successful as penalty killers. Even a modest improvement there will massively improve the chances for a playoff spot. Giving PK coach Adam Foote options won’t hurt.
Main Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
