Patrik Allvin on free agency: Four potential Professional try outs for the Canucks
Every NHL offseason, a group of free agents who didn't receive the contract offers they expected will sign Professional Try-Out (PTO) agreements with various teams. These PTOs usually involve participation in training camps and a few exhibition games.
The most successful players may earn a one-year contract as a result. Recently, Logan Brown signed a PTO with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Jakub Vrana agreed to one with the Washington Capitals. Several others will likely join them as camps approach. For instance, new Canucks forward Daniel Sprong earned a contract with the Seattle Kraken off a PTO in 2022 and went on to score 21 goals that season. Similarly, another Canuck, Danton Heinen, turned a PTO with the Boston Bruins into a contract last year and then scored 36 points, earning a two-year deal with the Canucks this summer.
The Canucks have a history of notable PTO invites, including players like Owen Nolan, Brendan Morrison, and Travis Hamonic. The most recent success story was Alex Chiasson, who earned a full-time spot with the Canucks in 2021 after coming to camp on a PTO. However, not every PTO pans out, as seen with Danny DeKeyser, who wasn't cut in 2022, and last year's camp featured no PTOs beyond players who already signed AHL contracts with Abbotsford.
If the Canucks do extend any PTO invitations this year, several intriguing candidates could be considered. For example, despite his age, Mark Giordano could provide valuable depth on the left side of the defence, and Nick Cousins might bring much-needed grit and agitation to the lineup. Players like John Klingberg, with his potential for a bounce-back season, and veteran enforcer Matt Martin could also be worth a look.
While these PTOs are low-risk, they can sometimes yield significant rewards for the player and the team.
Source: Canucks Army
4 MORE players who might be worth PTO consideration for the Canucks
| POLL | ||
Who would you like to see the most at the Canucks' training camp? | ||
| Mark Giordano | 36 | 18.8 % |
| John Klingberg | 67 | 34.9 % |
| Nick Cousins | 67 | 34.9 % |
| Matt Martin | 22 | 11.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
