LATEST | Several former Canucks are still looking for NHL opportunities
The offseason is winding down as training camps around the National Hockey League are set to open next week.
But for several former Vancouver Canucks players, they're still looking for a team for the 2023-24 season. Their options are limited right now for various reasons, whether that be teams being tight salary cap, injury, age or teams not needing a player for a specific position they may have a logjam at.
Let's take a look at some of the former Vancouver Canucks that are looking for an NHL opportunity this coming season.
Ethan Bear (D).
Bear appeared in 61 games for the Canucks last season and went on to represent Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Hockey Championship. At the tournament, he suffered a shoulder injury and underwent surgery. He was then not issued a qualifying offer and became an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
Alexander Edler (D).
Edler, arguably one of the greatest Canucks defenceman of all-time, became an unrestricted free agent on Canada Day after spending the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Kings. Edler wants to continue playing in the NHL, but hasn't received any contract or PTO offers.
Jaroslav Halak (G).
Former Canucks goaltender Jaroslav Halak is on the opening market once again and may have the toughest time landed a contract when compared to Bear and Edler. That's because not a lot of teams are looking to add a goaltender at this time. He appeared in 25 games for the Rangers last season, where he had a record of 10-9-5, a a 2.72 GAA, a .903 save percentage and one shutout.
Josh Leivo (LW).
Leivo, who spent the majority of the 2022-23 season in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues, remains a depth option for teams around the league and could be the target of a PTO in the coming days. Last season, Leivo appeared in 51 games where he put up 16 points (four goals, 12 assists), 25 penalty minutes and had an even-rating.
Justin Bailey (RW).
Bailey played the entire 2022-23 season with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors after spending the previous three years with the Canucks. While with the Condors, the 28-year-old had a fairly good season, recording 32 points (19 goals, 13 assists) in 58 games.
Cory Schneider (G).
The final name here is veteran goaltender Cory Schneider, who spent the first five years of his NHL career with the Canucks. Much like Jaroslav Halak, Schneider's options are very limited due to teams not needing goaltending help right now. In 33 games for the AHL's Bridgeport Islanders last season, he had a record of 19-11-3 with a 2.94 GAA, a .913 save percentage and one shutout.
| POLL | ||
Which of the following three players is most likely to be in the NHL this season? | ||
| Alex Edler | 80 | 17.1 % |
| Ethan Bear | 323 | 69 % |
| Jaroslav Halak | 22 | 4.7 % |
| See Results | 43 | 9.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
