Canucks GM responds to free agent rumors

Myers? A trade for Lucic? Jim Benning sets the record straight.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 4 years ago
Canucks GM responds to free agent rumors
Zuma Press

With the opening of the NHL’s free agent period now just days away, there’s plenty of speculation online about who might be signing where and for how much. It’s not exactly a secret that the New York Rangers have been eyeing superstar Artemi Panarin. Ditto for the Florida Panthers and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Matt Duchene has been linked to the Nashville Predators for weeks now, while Joe Pavelski has been spotted visiting with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

But what about those “second tier” free agents like defensemen Jake Gardiner, Tyler Myers and Marc Methot? Or forwards like Gustav Nyquist, Marcus Johansson and Mats Zuccarello? These are still valuable players who are likely to cash in on July 1st, but where will they end up? 

The Vancouver Canucks have been linked to Myers this past week, with rumours that Canucks GM is ready to hand out a massive seven year deal worth $49 million to the former Winnipeg Jets blueliner. That… that sounds like a mistake. As good as Myers is, he’s simply not a $7 million player. Still, the rumors persist, prompting Benning to set the record straight with TSN earlier today.

When asked about his free agent plans Benning said the following:

“If we try to sign players in free agency it’s going to be with the intent that we think they’re top four defensemen or top six forwards.”


So, this begs the question: “Is Tyler Myers a top four defenseman?” 

Or, better yet: “Does Jim Benning think Tyler Myers is a top four defenseman?”

By most metrics Myers is NOT a top four defenseman. Now, does this mean Benning isn’t bullish on Myers? We’ll find out come July 1st. Stay tuned, Canucks fans. 

Source: TSN