Canucks on the market: Three available targets to bolster their defensive depth
The Vancouver Canucks were active on the first day of free agency, signing seven players: Jake DeBrusk, Kiefer Sherwood, Derek Forbort, Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, Jiri Patera, and Nate Smith. After this spending spree, general manager Patrik Allvin has very little cap space left for additional moves unless a trade is made. However, he might still find value among the remaining free agents on the market.
The Columbus Blue Jackets recently bought out Adam Boqvist, making the 23-year-old Swedish defenseman an unrestricted free agent. Despite being the key piece in the trade that sent Seth Jones to Chicago, Boqvist struggled with injuries and depth chart competition in Columbus. However, when healthy, he is a dynamic puck-moving defenseman with a high hockey IQ, and he has shown flashes of his potential, particularly during his 2021-22 season, where he recorded 11 goals and 22 points. The Canucks could potentially take advantage of his current low value and sign him to a bargain deal.
Justin Schultz
Schultz was once a highly sought-after free agent and had his best seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, including a standout 2016-17 season where he tallied 12 goals and 51 points and played a crucial role in their Stanley Cup run. While he hasn't been able to reach those numbers since, he remains a reliable contributor, typically posting 20-30 points per season. If the Canucks sign him, Schultz could reunite with his former Seattle Kraken defence partner, Carson Soucy. Together, they were influential in the playoffs, with the Kraken outscoring opponents 10-4 while on the ice.
Tyson Barrie, another Vancouver native, is also a free agent after a disappointing stint with the Nashville Predators. Previously, Barrie was a key player on the Edmonton Oilers' power play, working alongside stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Despite a drop in performance, Barrie still brings offensive skills and could provide value on the Canucks' second power-play unit. With a reduced cap hit projected at around $1.74 million for a one-year deal, Barrie could be an affordable addition to the Canucks' blue line.
With limited cap space, the Canucks will need to be creative, but these players offer intriguing options that could strengthen the team without breaking the bank. If Allvin isn't looking for free agency to complete his defence, he could also wait for the season to play out and acquire a true top-four defender as a rental on the trade market.
Even though the Canucks have done terrific work thus far this summer, their work is far from done if they intend on having a cup contending line-up.
Source: The Hockey Writers
Canucks Should Target these 3 bargain free agents
| POLL | ||
Who would you rather see the Canucks acquire? | ||
| Justin Schultz | 32 | 14 % |
| Tyson Barrie | 30 | 13.2 % |
| Adam Boqvist | 91 | 39.9 % |
| Trade for a top four d-man | 75 | 32.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
