World News – CA – Vancouver Canucks: 3 free agent defense targets

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By Sartaaj Bhullar October 12, 2020

The Vancouver Canucks lost Chris Tanev to the Calgary Flames and Troy Stecher to the Detroit Red Wings thanks to a free agency Both defensemen played on the right side of the club’s defense Tanev occupied the right side of the first pair with Quinn Hughes, while Stecher played with Alex Edler on second pair

The Canucks now find themselves with Tyler Myers as their only option to return as a right-hander from last season The Canucks lost their 2019-20 season MVP to Jacob Markstrom They also failed to secure Oliver Ekman-Larsson through trade, then missed out on Tyson Barrie, who signed a one-year contract with their division rivals, the Edmonton Oilers

The Canucks have signed Braden Holtby, but GM Jim Benning has had a rough start to the 2020 offseason Although they’ve lost a good number of key players, the Canucks have other options thanks to a free agencyeval (ez_write_tag ([[580,400], ‘thehockeywriters_com-medrectangle-4’, ‘ezslot_0’, 663, ‘0’, ‘0’]));

The Canucks have reportedly checked in on Sami Vatanen, who is an unrestricted free agent Vatanen spent last season with the New Jersey Devils before being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes With the Devils he scored five goals in 23 games last season, and he didn’t play a game with the Hurricanes heading into the playoffs, where he had three assists in seven games

While Vatanen is no longer the two-way defenseman he was with the Anaheim Ducks earlier in his career, he is worth the risk for the Canucks next season. Vatanen is at risk of injury as he hasn’t played a full season in his eight-year career, but the Canucks can benefit from his history with the Ducks, where he has 126 points in 280 games. He would probably play with Edler next season if he signs with them, thus replacing Stecher

The Finnish defender can quarterback in the club’s second power play unit as he racked up 86 power play points in 434 games over his career If Vatanen can regain his two-man game, he will be a signing successful for the Canucks A short-term supply of around one to two years and worth $ 3.5 million per season would be ideal

The Flames have signed a four-year, $ 18 million contract with Tanev, which likely means they won’t sign Travis Hamonic again The defender has withdrawn from the return-to-play program of the NHL, which marked the end of his time with the club Canucks are also interested in him Hamonic is very similar to Tanev as he is a home defender and is a year younger He can kill penalties and would be perfect with Hughes in the top of the defensive couple He is not either known for his offensive abilities as he has 188 points in 637 games

The Manitoba native has done a better job of staying healthy than Tanev He has played 643 of 773 possible regular-season games throughout his 10-year careerIf money makes sense, Hamonic would be a great option to replace Tanev on the blue line

Although Erik Cernak is a restricted free agent, the Tampa Bay Lightning is not in a great place to match an offer sheet The 2020 Stanley Cup champions have $ 2,895 million in space. ceiling and attempt to move players with a high ceiling kick Benning would be wise in Cernak’s offer, as he fills one of the two holes left by Tanev and Stecher He’s only 23 and brings style defense-oriented game (ez_write_tag ([[580,400], ‘thehockeywriters_com-large-mobile-banner-1’, ‘ezslot_2’, 665, ‘0’, ‘0’]));

Cernak would be a perfect fit with Hughes as he is a 6’3, 230-pound defenseman.In his first two seasons in the NHL he had a Corsi for 504% Cernak can clear the defensive zone and blocking shots, like what Tanev brought to the Canucks They could offer him up to $ 4.363million, meaning they would only have to give up a second-round pick in 2021 if the Lightning can’t match

Whether the Canucks trade or recruit a defenseman, Benning must acquire one.Otherwise, the organization will have to look to a defensive perspective, leading to questions as to whether the players are ready to play in the NHL or not. Young players like Olli Juolevi, Brogan Rafferty and Jalen Chatfield will have the opportunity to play for the Canucks next season, but having them replace Tanev and Stecher would result in too much inexperience on the blue line

Adding one of the defensemen mentioned above helps Canucks avoid rushing their young players while remaining competitive The Canucks’ 2020 Stanley Cup playoff success raised expectations for the club next season Therefore, Benning has to propose a playoff squad at the start of next season

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Vancouver Canucks, Defenseman, Troy Stecher, Christopher Tanev, Calgary Flames, National Hockey League, Western Conference