Ryan Johnson's wish list for NHL free agency shopping is underwhelming and understandable. The Vancouver Canucks rookie general manager needs to acquire high-character players to build a better culture, veterans who can support and protect young, impressionable and vulnerable defencemen, and those who bring a physical element to the roster rebuild.
Pragmatic Roster Building
Regardless of $22 million in salary cap space, Johnson will check pricetags in the bargain aisles when the weak market opens Wednesday. The Canucks are looking for short-term deals and players they could flip at the trade deadline for assets. It’s a tough sell for free agents to join a cost-conscious club years away from contending.
However, there’s an “It” factor about Vancouver for those familiar with the hockey-mad market. Unrestricted free-agent defenceman Troy Stecher logged four seasons here, and returning at age 32 would be a fitting career topper. “There would always be interest, especially with the guys in place now,” the Richmond native said of Henrik and Daniel Sedin serving as co-presidents of hockey operations, Manny Malhotra as head coach, and Johnson as GM. However, there was a buzz Monday that Stetcher could double his salary by signing an extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Brendan Gallagher Acquired
Culture carrier Brendan Gallagher, 34, echoed similar sentiments about Vancouver with a year left on his deal, but isn’t part of the Montreal Canadiens’ future. He could have been bought out to enter free agency, or traded to a place where he shone with the WHL Vancouver Giants. “Certainly, Vancouver would be a great place,” Gallagher admitted. On Monday, the Canucks acquired Gallagher after the Canadiens agreed to retain 50 per cent of his remaining $6.5 million salary cap hit that carries $4 million in salary in return for future considerations.
The Canucks have a full roster under contract, and creating openings may mean parting with trade candidates Jake DeBrusk, Filip Hronek, Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander, who was dealt to Nashville on Monday for a 2029 third-round draft pick. The best way to accumulate assets in a rebuild is moving players with market value and big pricetags. Plugging the vacancies means being prudent and not getting locked into deals with too much value or length, while trying to prop up a club with leadership. It’s not easy. But roster rebuilds aren’t supposed to be.
Top Free Agent Targets
Here’s a look at what the Canucks could consider in free agency:
A.J. Greer
A.J. Greer, 29, LW, 6-foot-3, 224 lbs., Florida, GP 78, G: 17, A:15, PTS: 32. The skinny: Top-six lineup staple uses size, speed and bravado as disruptive force on forecheck while remaining defensively responsible. Led Panthers with plus-14 ranking and was first in hits (203) and penalty minutes (113). Fought tough guys six times. However, his rights were traded Monday to the Ducks for rights to Radko Gudas. The bottom line: Could sign with Anaheim. Expiring cap hit of $850,000.
Colton Scissons
Colton Scissons, 32, C, 6-foot-1, 200 lbs., Vegas, GP: 66, G: 6, A:5, PTS: 11. The skinny: North Vancouver native is good on the penalty kill and face-offs. Canucks had worst PK this season and Scissons would prop it up, especially with UFA Teddy Blueger going to the open market. Scissons was 56.5 per cent on draws and second in blocks among club forwards. The bottom line: Expiring cap hit of $2.85 million.
Boone Jenner
Boone Jenner, 33, C, 6-foot-2, 204 lbs., Columbus, GP: 67, G:13, A:25, PTS: 38. The skinny: Production fell, leverage lost, Blue Jackets going younger, but led club centres in hits and blocked shots. Regular 20-plus goal guy hard to play against and Canucks must get bigger. Fiilp Chytil’s health, trade possibility for Pettersson working into interest mix. The bottom line: Expiring cap hit of $3.75 million.
Kevin Stenlund
Kevin Stenlund, 29, C, 6-foot-3, 213 lbs., Utah, GP:80, G:4, A:14, PTS: 24. The skinny: Led Mammoth in face-off percentage (54.2 per cent), shot blocks (61) and shorthanded ice time. Would add structure and guidance for rebuilding Canucks and add penalty-kill presence with PK specialist Blueger leaving for free agency. The bottom line: Expiring cap hit of $2 million.
Troy Stecher
Troy Stecher, 32, RSD, 5-foot-10, 184 lbs., Toronto, GP: 58, G: 3, A:11, PTS: 14. The skinny: Expect injuries and indifferent play on Canucks’ young back end. Stecher filled in admirably when Chris Tanev was lost for season in Toronto, often logged more than 20 minutes and dependable. Good mobility, high hockey I.Q., consummate professional, culture carrier. The Leafs obviously liked Stetcher’s efforts and he’s reportedly close to an extension. The bottom line: Stetcher could double salary on expiring cap hit of $787,500.
Other Notable Options
Nice to have: Beck Malenstyn, 28, LW, Sabres, big grinder re-signed, six years, $2.917 million AAV. Darren Raddysh: 30, RSD, Leafs, 70 points, hit big trade homer, $8.5 million/eight years. Bobby McMann: 30, C, Kranken, 29 goals, expiring $1.35M cap hit. He will cash in. Ian Cole: 37, LSD, Utah, UFA, vibe guy, led Mammoth in shot blocks, $2.8M cap hit.
Worth a flyer: Ville Heinola: 25, LSD, Winnipeg, Group 6 FA, very good puck skills, $800,000 cap hit. Alex Kerfoot: 31, C, Utah, UFA, core muscle surgery, UBI, just 34 games, $3M cap hit. Luke Schenn: 36, RD, Sabres, veteran knows the market, expiring $2.75 million hit.
Unfathomable: Andrei Kuzmenko: 30, RW, Los Angeles, 13 goals, past EP40 chemistry. $4.3M cap hit. Jamie Oleksiak: 33, LSD, Seattle, huge, speed and playmaking limitations. $4.6M cap hit.
