OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Vancouver Canucks - 2014

CanuckJohnny · 08-10-2023, 01:48 AM

Vancouver Free Agency Wrap Up

Signings:
LW Dustin Jeffrey - 2 yrs, $775k AAV
G Thomas Greiss - 2 yrs, $1.6M AAV, NTC
C Mark Letestu - 2 yrs, $2.42M AAV
LD Nick Holden - 2 yrs, $2.4M AAV
LD Marc-Andre Gragnani - 2 yrs, $525k AAV
LD Kris Russell - 2 yrs, $904k AAV
RD Zbynek Michalek - 2 yrs, $920k AAV
LW Joffrey Lupul - 2 yrs, $1.15M AAV

Trevor Linden's first free agency at the helm of the Canucks was a muted and, to some, disappointing one. Reportedly they were in on free agent defenseman Paul Martin on a similar deal to what he got from Carolina, but didn't offer quite as much and Martin chose the Hurricanes. Giving a no trade clause to a backup goalie was a questionable move, but after moving Ryan Miller at the draft Vancouver is clearly committing to Markstrom for the foreseeable future and wanted a steady veteran behind him to platoon for the first year and to mentor him but without expecting a majority of starts. Greiss probably impressed Canucks brass with his playoff performances, coming in for Fleury and leading Pittsburgh to the seventh game of the Cup Finals.

The two biggest ticket signings Vancouver made were not on day one of free agency, and it seems reasonable to presume that both Holden and Letestu were backup plans after primary targets chose to go elsewhere. Word is that they wanted Shawn Matthias back after he refused to extend in San Jose, but he wanted a fresh start somewhere new, and also probably got a little more than Vancouver was offering when he went with Calgary on a three year deal. However Linden and his management team do really like Letestu's versatility and offensive skillset as a middle six piece, and they are hoping Holden can compete for a top four role and rise to fill some of the hole left by Alex Edler being traded.

The Canucks brought Dustin Jeffrey back on a two year deal after sending him to Minnesota for a playoff run where he played well against them in the first round. Gragnani, Russell and Michalek are all depth defensive signings, of whom Vancouver probably hopes at least one or two can crack the opening day lineup in a top six role. Russell and Michalek are both dark horses to take a top four role next season.

Joffrey Lupul was a later signing, not a lot of teams were inquiring about his services in spite of him having a very strong season last year with Philadelphia scoring 31 goals. Perhaps him wanting at least two years at 31 years old without being considered a premium talent was the sticking point. At any rate, if he can perform even close to that at a $1.15 million price tag this will be a bargain for Vancouver.

08-10-2023, 01:48 AM	#66
CanuckJohnny All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 554	Vancouver Free Agency Wrap Up Signings: LW Dustin Jeffrey - 2 yrs, $775k AAV G Thomas Greiss - 2 yrs, $1.6M AAV, NTC C Mark Letestu - 2 yrs, $2.42M AAV LD Nick Holden - 2 yrs, $2.4M AAV LD Marc-Andre Gragnani - 2 yrs, $525k AAV LD Kris Russell - 2 yrs, $904k AAV RD Zbynek Michalek - 2 yrs, $920k AAV LW Joffrey Lupul - 2 yrs, $1.15M AAV Trevor Linden's first free agency at the helm of the Canucks was a muted and, to some, disappointing one. Reportedly they were in on free agent defenseman Paul Martin on a similar deal to what he got from Carolina, but didn't offer quite as much and Martin chose the Hurricanes. Giving a no trade clause to a backup goalie was a questionable move, but after moving Ryan Miller at the draft Vancouver is clearly committing to Markstrom for the foreseeable future and wanted a steady veteran behind him to platoon for the first year and to mentor him but without expecting a majority of starts. Greiss probably impressed Canucks brass with his playoff performances, coming in for Fleury and leading Pittsburgh to the seventh game of the Cup Finals. The two biggest ticket signings Vancouver made were not on day one of free agency, and it seems reasonable to presume that both Holden and Letestu were backup plans after primary targets chose to go elsewhere. Word is that they wanted Shawn Matthias back after he refused to extend in San Jose, but he wanted a fresh start somewhere new, and also probably got a little more than Vancouver was offering when he went with Calgary on a three year deal. However Linden and his management team do really like Letestu's versatility and offensive skillset as a middle six piece, and they are hoping Holden can compete for a top four role and rise to fill some of the hole left by Alex Edler being traded. The Canucks brought Dustin Jeffrey back on a two year deal after sending him to Minnesota for a playoff run where he played well against them in the first round. Gragnani, Russell and Michalek are all depth defensive signings, of whom Vancouver probably hopes at least one or two can crack the opening day lineup in a top six role. Russell and Michalek are both dark horses to take a top four role next season. Joffrey Lupul was a later signing, not a lot of teams were inquiring about his services in spite of him having a very strong season last year with Philadelphia scoring 31 goals. Perhaps him wanting at least two years at 31 years old without being considered a premium talent was the sticking point. At any rate, if he can perform even close to that at a $1.15 million price tag this will be a bargain for Vancouver.