On the Vancouver Canucks …
Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: The Canucks have a lot of cap space available, but they should not use it up on free agents who are, or are closing in on 30-years old.
That includes not re-signing UFA goalie Ryan Miller.
The Canucks are $17 million under the cap and have to re-sign RFAs Bo Horvat, Erik Gudbranson and Nikita Tryamkin.
There is some talk that the Canucks might think about not protecting Brandon Sutter and $4.375 million cap it for the expansion draft.
The Canucks have suggested they are going to “rebuild,” so they need to focus on acquiring draft picks and prospects.
The Canucks can use the extra cap space they have to acquire a bad contract along with an asset like the Arizona Coyotes have. The Coyotes acquired Pavel Datsyuk‘s cap hit along with a first round pick, which they turned into Jakob Chychrun after a trade to move up in the draft. Some think that Timothy Liljegren could turn into this year’s Chychrun and the Canucks might consider acquiring another pick in the first round if he drops out of the top 10.
TSN 1040: Vancourver Province writer Jason Botchford thinks that if the Canucks are in a rebuild, they should consider trading defenseman Chris Tanev while his value is high and acquire as many assets as they can in return.
Rick Dhaliwal: The agent for Canucks forward Bo Horvat said that Horvat won’t be playing in the World Hockey Championships. Horvat was asked but he had to say no as he doesn’t have a contract (RFA). Contract talks haven’t started with the Canucks yet.
On free agent Darren Raddysh …
Rick Dhaliwal: A lot of teams are interested in free agent, Erie Otters defenseman Darren Raddysh, including the Vancouver Canucks.
Rick Dhaliwal: Raddysh on the Canucks interest: “I have had teammates sign in VAN, they say good things about the organization.”
Rick Dhaliwal: Raddysh: “My goal next year is to play the highest level I can, if I sign with VAN or any team it will be a dream come true.”