Canucks off-season priorities already identified: Help for Pettersson?
The Vancouver Canucks' season is now over and instead of dwelling on the loss, the team is looking forward to the future and using this season as their stepping stone to become competitive for many years to come.
In order to get over that hump and into the Western Conference Final next season, the Canucks will need to make some changes and additions to their roster this summer, whether that be by trade or in free agency.
Granted, having Thatcher Demko injured didn't help and losing Brock Boeser for Game 7 was a huge blow. If both of them were playing, the Canucks very well could have been focusing on the Western Conference Final, rather than what they'll do this summer.
During Wednesday's edition of Halford & Brough on Sportsnet 650 radio, the pair discussed what the Vancouver Canucks need to prioritize this summer and they believe that they need to find a player who is going to bring more out of Elias Pettersson. Pettersson finished the season with only two goals in his last 26 games in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Canucks likely won't be able to break the bank and bring make a big free agent signing, barring any trades they make before July 1st, but there are still several impact players hitting the market on Canada Day.
One name, a familiar one, they could target is Tyler Toffoli. Toffoli began the season with the New Jersey Devils before being dealt to the Winnipeg Jets before the trade deadline. He finished the 2023-24 campaign with 33 goals and 22 assists in 79 games.
Another potential target could be Sean Monahan, who had a solid season, but may be looking for a big jump in pay after signing a one-year, $1.985 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens last summer. Monahan had 26 goals and 33 assists in 83 games this season, so he could be pushing $4-4.5 million AAV on his next contract.
Finally, a third player that could be a solid fit for the Vancouver Canucks is Teuvo Teravainen, who is not expected to return to the Carolina Hurricanes next summer. The Helsinki, Finland native had 25 goals in 2023-24, which is the most he's had in a single season during his NHL career.
Which of the three players I mentioned do you think would be the best fit for the Vancouver Canucks? Let us know what you think in the poll below!
| POLL | ||
Which free agent should the Canucks target to play with Elias Pettersson? | ||
| Tyler Toffoli | 1022 | 57.2 % |
| Sean Monahan | 266 | 14.9 % |
| Teuvo Teravainen | 329 | 18.4 % |
| D | 170 | 9.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
