Who’s on the shopping list? Maybe these five
What should the Canucks be looking for if they decide to dip a toe into Wednesday’s free agent pool?
First of all, they don’t have much cap space and the pickings this year are slim, with no real trophies on the top end.
Canucks GM Jim Benning has already said he won’t be in the $5-million US (per-year-contract) market, so it’s going to be a bottomsix forward or third-pairing D-man, if anything.
That said, here’s five players the Canucks might look at: 1. Mike Richards, 30, centre Los Angeles Kings 5-11-16 in 53 GP 2014-15 cap hit: $5.75 million US In a major development, the Kings terminated Richards’ massive contract on Monday, reportedly due to an off-ice incident, which speaks for itself. The implications won’t help the perception of Richards as he now heads into free agency. But the opportunity now looms for the onetime star to sign a modest one-year deal to show he can still play in the NHL. How many teams will come sniffing around a player who could fill a role at fourth-line centre and be reliable in the faceoff circle? Would the Canucks be one of them?
2. Brad Richardson, 30, centrewinger Vancouver Canucks 8-13-21 in 45 GP 2014-15 cap hit: $1.15 million US He’s been a solid presence in the dressing room and brings a lot as a bottom-six forward. His return likely depends on what kind of salary and term he’s looking for. Richardson made $1.15 million US in an injuryravaged season in 2014-15.
3. Mike Santorelli, 29, centrewinger Nashville Predators 12-21-33 in 79 GP 2014-15 cap hit: $1.5 million US A back-to-the-future candidate, Santorelli had a good run in Vancouver two seasons ago and put up 29 points in 57 games with the very bad Toronto Maple Leafs before the trade to Nashville. Santorelli has great wheels and is versatile.
4. Andrej Sekera, 29, defenceman Los Angeles Kings 3-20-23 in 73 games 2014-15 cap hit: $2.75 million US It looks like the Kings may be able to afford to re-sign Sekera, a capable top-four D-man, now that they’ve rid themselves of Mike Richards’s salary. But if Sekera hits free agency he’s a steady player who’s capable of logging big minutes. The Canucks would have to stretch their wallet to be able to afford him, though. 5. Matt Beleskey, 27, winger Anaheim Ducks 22-10-32 in 65 GP 2014-15 cap hit: $1.35 million US Another UFA who’s set to cash in on a big season that looks too much like an outlier. He’ll get a big raise thanks to the 22 goals he scored on the Ducks’ second line with Ryan Kesler as his centre. He also shot a career-high 15.2 per cent this season, but could he be persuaded to take a little less for some power play time with the Sedins? The Canucks PP could certainly use another goal scorer. But this is a wallet-stretcher for sure.