LATEST | Canucks considering five centermen via free agency
The Canucks have already announced their colours heading into this year's free agency. In light of their recent announcement that they intend on competing for a playoff spot next year, they'll be on the hunt to add another centerman to fit behind Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller.
From the information revealed on Sekeres and Price, they listed five pending free agents as centers options for the Canucks' third line.
Kerfoot surely tops this list, as it is fairly certain he'll be packing his bags and leave Toronto due to their cap issues. The Vancouver, BC native could be looking at a potential return to his roots. Although he's in the smaller format, he'd be the perfect two-way pivot to fit on the third line. While he had a prominent role on the Leafs' roster last year, he managed 51 points in 82 games.
2. Sam Steel
Sam Steel has been a heck of a redemption project for the Wild. His progression had stalled with the Ducks and the Wild acquired him during free agency for almost the league's minimum wage. Steel has an intriguing offensive potential. Back in his WHL days, he was one of the most prominent scorer and he is on pace to set career highs in Minnesota.
3. Tyson Jost
Jost displays a similar background to Steel, centerman who dominated the BCHL and the NCAA, before making his way to the pros where he failed to reach the next level in Colorado. He was moved to the Sabres where he surely has found his groove. He's also on pace for just below 30 points.
Another player out of Minnesota, known to be hard to play against and the bigger centerman of the lot. Sundqvist displays a similar offensive production, however the Swede has a right-handed shot. He hasn't displayed as much offensive potential as the three others, though his physicality and his experience may come into consideration. He is the older of the lot and was part of two Stanley Cup winning roster, with the Penguins (2016) and the Blues (2019).
They also listed Pius Suter as a possible option. On our end, adding an offensive threat in the likes of Alex Kerfoot could definitely deepen the team's offensive power. However an experience and defensive minded centerman like Sundqvist could also turn out to be an intriguing acquisition.
At this point, it'll only depends on what Allvin and Tocchet want to have contribution wise coming from the third line. We'll find out more as soon as free agency kicks in on July 1st.
