[Discussion] Potential Free Agents 2014

[JeremyCuddles]

With Linden and Benning not interested in a rebuild or retool, I'm thinking we may dive into Free Agency for help up front. So I came here to see who you, CDC, would be interested in picking up via Free agency.

There are 3 players that I think help us greatly on what I consider is third line players playing second line. I'm not saying nab them all, but getting one of these three could help us immensely up front.

Paul Stasny, Ryan Callahan, or Milan Michalek. If we go the Stasny route I'd like to see Kes move to the wing. I think at this point he is an over glorified. 3rd liner with his play making, or lack there of. I blame that partly to the lack of quality line mates especially after Santo went down.

Callahan, even though I wish Torts was still here, is a hard nosed big time player. Him and Kes would make an aggravating line to play against that grind you out then score big goals.

Michalek, I feel would be a huge goal scoring threat who can worry more so about goals while Kes provides defensive help who can snipe at will.

Of course this moves one of Santo (if he resigns) or Higgins to the 3rd line which gives us a huge depth boost. I'd like to see a Higgins Richardson and Kassian 3rd line. Maybe a Matthais Santo Kassian line. Size and speed. I'd like Michalek personally.

D. Sedin H. Sedin Jensen

Michalek Kesler Burrows

Higgins Santo Kassian

Matthais Richardson Hansen

A first line second line and two third lines. Pretty good. Booth Sestito and Weber (?) as depth players. Don't see the point in buying out Booth with one year left. Let Shink simmer in the A, rehab his hip. Can even be a depth call up come Spring.

I don't see too many Rookies cracking this team. Honestly Corrado still needs some more big minutes in the A. Gaunce I need to see him in the preseason and such to accurately gauge, same with Horvat. I have my doubts they are ready though.

If you think we should withhold on signing Free Agents feel free to omit from commenting. Or if you feel the need to, fly at it. But try have a significant reason, Just adds no substance saying "tank please, Mcdavid 2015 herp derp."

[canucks155]

There r a lot problems w/ this team. 1 UFA isn't going to change things- unless it's Gaborik, Molsoun or Vanek.

[MRAY]

There r a lot problems w/ this team. 1 UFA isn't going to change things- unless it's Gaborik, Molsoun or Vanek.

If Kesler is staying, he will want two good wingers for sure. Maybe if we sign Gaborik AND Moulson, it might indeed change things around. If so, our top 9 would look something like this:

Sedin-Sedin-Jensen

Moulson-Kesler-Gaborik

Burrows-Santo-Kassian

[YEGCanuck]

I would take a serious look at Molsoun if he is a UFA this summer. I think he is worth the value and could be signed long term.

[RunningWild]

I'd like to see them add a tough minutes 3C and a top 6 winger via free agency (same as last summer). Would also like to see these players have strong advanced stats.

3C: Marcel Goc is Malhotra_v2, IMO. He can centre the 3rd line and play against opponents top lines every night/great advanced stats. It allows Kesler and Sedins to play against weaker competition every shift - which should in turn allow them to produce more offensively. Other than Stastny (possibly Grabo), he's the only tough mins 3C on the market this summer.

Top 6: For the winger it really depends on cost. I don't think any of the winger free agents this summer are advanced stats darlings and most won't add value/per cap hit IMO. I like Vrbata, Gaborik (who prob resigns with LA), Iginla (on a 1 yr deal) and possibly Callahan (though I think he makes it rain this summer).

Also like D. Mckenzie, Stempniak for depth pieces this team desperately needs.

Sedin- Sedin- Burr

Gaborik - Kes- Kass

Higgy- Goc- Hansen

Stempniak -Matthias- Jensen

McKenzie

[TheRussianRocket.]

^you forgot about Richardson. Solid 3rd line centre and better than Goc.

[Bure.10]

I don't think any UFA's are worth going after this year. You're going to end up over-paying for anyone and then regret it a year of two later. We're not cup contender anymore, no point of signing an expensive and over-priced player. We need to give our youth a chance instead.

[Phil_314]

^
I think it depends on what kinds of roster holes come from moving guys out (if we do that, i.e. with Hansen, Booth or less likely Burr). If we move a top 6 guy out or bump Burr to the 3rd line, I'd love to see them go after Grabovski.

Sedin - Sedin - Kassian (controlled play, plus the Twins can work around Kass)
Jensen - Grabo - Kesler (SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED. And scoring.)

Higgins - Horvat - Burr (tough minutes 3rd line)

Richardson - Matthias - Booth (basically another play-driving 3rd line)

We could roll 4 lines against most teams. Then sign Boyle for the back end:

Hamhuis - Boyle (lock-down D for strong puck-mover)

Garrison - Bieksa (strong pairing at WC, should work now too)

Edler - Tanev (solid, mobile pairing that can move up; Alex can take on more PP minutes and weaker comp)

Stanton

Lack

[Carl's Jn]

I'd like to see them add a tough minutes 3C and a top 6 winger via free agency (same as last summer). Would also like to see these players have strong advanced stats.

3C: Marcel Goc is Malhotra_v2, IMO. He can centre the 3rd line and play against opponents top lines every night/great advanced stats. It allows Kesler and Sedins to play against weaker competition every shift - which should in turn allow them to produce more offensively. Other than Stastny (possibly Grabo), he's the only tough mins 3C on the market this summer.

Top 6: For the winger it really depends on cost. I don't think any of the winger free agents this summer are advanced stats darlings and most won't add value/per cap hit IMO. I like Vrbata, Gaborik (who prob resigns with LA), Iginla (on a 1 yr deal) and possibly Callahan (though I think he makes it rain this summer).

Also like D. Mckenzie, Stempniak for depth pieces this team desperately needs.

Sedin- Sedin- Burr

Gaborik - Kes- Kass

Higgy- Goc- Hansen

Stempniak -Matthias- Jensen

McKenzie

canucks wanted goc 2years ago but goc didn't want to waive his no trade clause... gillis had problems getting players to come to vancouver i lay my hope on benning because i believe bennings' reputation is good amongst the league....

[canucks155]

If Kesler is staying, he will want two good wingers for sure. Maybe if we sign Gaborik AND Moulson, it might indeed change things around. If so, our top 9 would look something like this:

Sedin-Sedin-Jensen

Moulson-Kesler-Gaborik

Burrows-Santo-Kassian

Cap?

[Merci]

Friend of a friend said Stasny's dad hates Patrick Roy for some weird reason, I think he's a nordeiques fan

And that stasny is going to a Canadian team who pays him his 7 million.

[J.I.A.H.N]

Which leads me to my line up!

Sedin Sedin Kesler

Higgins Stastny Callahan

Shinkaruk Horvat Kassian

Matthais Richardson Hansen

Stetitto Santarelli

Hanhuis Tanev

Garrison Bieska

Stanton Corrado

Mike Weaver

Lack

Markstrom

It all fits.......Stastny at 7,500.000 Callahan at 7,000,000 Weaver st 1,500,000

Tanev at 3,000,000 and Kassian at 2,000,000

[DownUndaCanuck]

I wouldn't mind going after Vbrata or Michalek to play in our middle-6 for around 3-4M while we lock up our current UFA/RFAs and get young kids to play bigger minutes.

The main problem with our team last season was that there were too many unskilled grinders playing big minutes, like Burrows, Higgins, Booth and Hansen. Sure they scored goals, but they weren't as productive as top-6 forwards are in the NHL. That may change with a new coach, but I'd rather see our forwards to look more like this:

Sedin - Sedin - Kassian

Give the kid a shot. He thrived with them during the stretches he played with them, and could easily hit 20 goals next season.

Vbrata - Kesler - Jensen

Jensen showed he can finish at the NHL level and he could learn a lot from Kesler, while Vbrata is brings speed and skill to the line and can perform as that lines playmaker (would take Hemsky in that slot too if had cheaply).

Hansen - Santorelli - Burrows

Great checking 3rd line. I know Benning has said he wants more size in his bottom-6, but this is a fast 3rd line that can score and play solid defence.

Matthias - Richardson - Booth/Horvat

Big bodies on the 4th line who all have some offensive flair.

[CanuckFanForever1123]

I would love it if we can get rid of Booth, and sign Moulson and Stastny to long term deals, while keeping Kesler and moving him to the Sedin line as a winger. He plays great with them on the PP. Not that bad of an idea in my opinion.

Sedin-Sedin-Kesler

Moulson-Stastny-Burrows

Higgins-Matthias-Kassian

Sestito-Richardson-Hansen

Dalpe

Let Jensen develop a little more and call him up if injuries occur.

Of course this really depends on what number the cap is set at next year.

[the grinder]

lol you think those big name players are gonna sign here with out a ntc , we cant have any more ntc on the team . we have 9 or 10 ntc as it is and you want to add 2 more big contracts with ntc to the team , if anything we get a few moneyball free agents

[DeltaSwede]

Friend of a friend said Stasny's dad hates Patrick Roy for some weird reason, I think he's a nordeiques fan

And that stasny is going to a Canadian team who pays him his 7 million.

I'd rather not have him then.

Also I am not questioning your friend but it seems very weird to me that Stastny would be unhappy in Colorado. They are just on their upswing and will be challenging for the Cup for several years. He gets top 6 minutes and I doubt he trades that to play for Toronto or Ottawa.

[Pears]

I say if we have enough cap space for Gaborik and/or Stastny, we have to grab them if they want to come here.

Friend of a friend said Stasny's dad hates Patrick Roy for some weird reason, I think he's a nordeiques fan

And that stasny is going to a Canadian team who pays him his 7 million.

Sure...

[Sweathog]

Well, if Free Agency was the case, I'd go with Stastny, Jussi Jokinen, and Shawn Thornton.

Stastny for a top 6 center position, mabye as the top center so you can conserve Hank's minutes throughout the season, so he will be a little fresher for the playoffs. If Kesler stays, put him on the wing as you suggested.

If Kesler does move, I like the idea of Jussi Jokinen for a one or two year deal, to help with the offense short-term.

And Shawn Thornton for the added toughness on the fourth line. Nothing against Sestito, he tries hard, but we need an enforcer who wins most of his bouts. Plus he doesn't usually hurt his team when he's on the ice.

So basically......

Sedin- Sedin- Jensen

Jokinen- Stastny- Kassian

Higgins- Mathias- Burrows

Thornton- Richardson- Lain/Hansen

If the cap's off, I apologize.

[Kevo882]

We'll see how the draft and trades go, but I think the Canucks would be smart to add a top 6 forward and a bottom 6 forward via free agency.

Top 6 forward: out of all the candidates, Matt Moulson would be the most ideal. If Kesler stays, Moulson would make a great scoring winger for Kesler. Plus he has stayed a lot healthier than other options like Marion Gaborik.

Bottom 6 forwards: this one maybe isn't absolutely imperative, but there are some intriguing bottom 6 forward type free agents this summer that could really add a spark to our forward group. I'm looking at the likes of Benoit Pouliot (has always been a versatile guy, is clutch in the playoffs, and is only 27), Ryan Jones (always shows a lot of heart and grit, can fight, and has shown some great goal scoring ability at times), or Dominic Moore (a little older - 33 - but again, a really versatile guy who is great on the faceoff and PK and also clutch in the playoffs).

[EliasSkywalker]

I would trade Kesler straight up for James Neal (good comparables according to Capgeek.com). Do a compliance buy out on Booth, and sign Jussi Jokinen (LW) and Paul Stastny © to play on Neal's line. Sign Kass and Tanev as RFAs. Expect Bo Horvat to play C on third line. Sign Vokoun as veteran goalie to backup or share games with Lack. Promote Corrado as 7th D and either Henrik Tommernes or Peter Andersson as 8th D. And possibly trade Burrows for future considerations for 2015 pick(s) as a salary dump.

http://www.capgeek.com/armchair-gm/roster/18422

CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER

Nucks2014_NealForKesler

FORWARDS

Daniel Sedin ($7.000m) / Henrik Sedin ($7.000m) / Zack Kassian ($1.851m)

Jussi Jokinen ($5.000m) / Paul Stastny ($7.000m) / James Neal ($5.000m)

Chris Higgins ($2.500m) / Bo Horvat ($0.894m) / Nicklas Jensen ($0.863m)

Shawn Matthias ($1.750m) / Brad Richardson ($1.150m) / Jannik Hansen ($2.500m)

DEFENSEMEN

Alexander Edler ($5.000m) / Kevin Bieksa ($4.600m)

Dan Hamhuis ($4.500m) / Jason Garrison ($4.600m)

Ryan Stanton ($0.550m) / Chris Tanev ($2.200m)

Henrik Tommernes ($0.680m) / Frank Corrado ($0.591m)

GOALTENDERS

Jacob Markstrom ($1.200m)

Eddie Lack ($1.150m)

Tomas Vokoun ($2.500m)

BUYOUTS

David Booth ($0.000m)

Keith Ballard ($0.000m)

RETAINED SALARIES (1.13% of upper limit)

Roberto Luongo ($0.800m—15.00%)

------

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)

(estimations for 2014-15)

SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $70,879,111; BONUSES: $1,103,333

CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $220,889