With Weal gone, who’s left for the Canucks?

Free agency is just a day away with some big names on the market. Who’s on Jim Benning’s wish-list?

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
With Weal gone, who’s left for the Canucks?
Keystone Press

Rumours had been swirling for weeks that the Vancouver Canucks were looking to bring North Vancouver native Jordan Weal to the team for 2017-18, but there hopes were dashed last night when the 25 year-old sniper decided to re-up with the Philadephia Flyers. So, who does that leave for the Canucks in free agency?

While it’s likely the team won’t be in the running for top-tier free agents like Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Radulov, the Canucks could find some value in the secondary market. In fact, the team should be looking to make an addition or two at every position: forward, defence and in goal.

First off, it has been reported that the team is courting centerman Sam Gagner. The 27 year old put up 18 goals and 50 points with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season and could provide the Canucks with some serious offensive punch. His playmaking ability would be particularly lethal on the Canucks 2nd PP unit.

An interesting addition on backend would be former Calgary Flames and Arizona Coyotes defender Michael Stone. He’s been linked to the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators already, but the promise of heavy-duty minutes in Vancouver may be enough to sway the 27 year-old a bit further West.

In goal, the Canucks have already been linked to Buffalo Sabres netminder Anders Nillson. The 27 year-old will not be re-signed by the Sabres and will hit the open market after a 10-10-4 season that saw him post a 2.67 GAA and .923 Sv%. 

Who else might the Canucks have interest in on day one of free-agency? Alzner? Bonino? Hunwick? Pirri?

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