2025 UFA Market

[Chef Boi RD]

Forwards

Marner
Tavares
Ehlers
Nelson
Marchand
Boeser
Bennett
Giroux
Duchene
Donato
Zucker
Suter
Nyquist
Hall
Raddysh
Roslovic
Kane

Defence

Chychrun
Ekblad
Orlov
Pionk
Gavrikov
Provorov

Who should Allvin make a pitch for? The top 6 foreward situation is dire!

[theman]

I would take runs at Ehlers, Nelson and Bennett.

Canucks have a tone of cap space and don’t really need to upgrade on D an G, so they have that in their favour.

Marner would be far too expensive to bring in.

Just realized Nelson is 33, maybe not him.

[rats19]

Being that I don’t follow the league or league stats .

I’m not to up on these guys, I mean I know the names but not their value.

I know some are on the older than we want list but…

Why don’t you tell us who you would want ?

[Chef Boi RD]

I would take runs at Ehlers, Nelson and Bennett.

Canucks have a tone of cap space and don’t really need to upgrade on D an G, so they have that in their favour.

Marner would be far too expensive to bring in.

Just realized Nelson is 33, maybe not him.

I like Bennett and Nelson the most, but Nelson is a bit too old. I’d rather spend money on Bennett than Boeser. Ehlers has injury issues and disappears in the post season.

[theman]

If i did my maths correctly, in my head, Canucks should have around 22 million in cap space to play with on FA’s day. (That almost scares me, with what they will do with it)

Only free agent I would probably over pay for would be Bennett.

[theman]

I would take runs at Ehlers, Nelson and Bennett.

Canucks have a tone of cap space and don’t really need to upgrade on D an G, so they have that in their favour.

Marner would be far too expensive to bring in.

Just realized Nelson is 33, maybe not him.

I like Bennett and Nelson the most, but Nelson is a bit too old. I’d rather spend money on Bennett than Boeser. Ehlers has injury issues and disappears in the post season.

I would still bring in Nelson on a short term deal, for the right price.

Bennett would be my #1 target.

Ehlers, just for someone to play with Petey.

[Chef Boi RD]

I would take runs at Ehlers, Nelson and Bennett.

Canucks have a tone of cap space and don’t really need to upgrade on D an G, so they have that in their favour.

Marner would be far too expensive to bring in.

Just realized Nelson is 33, maybe not him.

I like Bennett and Nelson the most, but Nelson is a bit too old. I’d rather spend money on Bennett than Boeser. Ehlers has injury issues and disappears in the post season.

I would still bring in Nelson on a short term deal, for the right price.

Bennett would be my #1 target.

Ehlers, just for someone to play with Petey.

I’m on the fence with Ehlers, love his speed and offence but not sure him and Petey mix well together. I prefer Bennett’s combination of skill and truculence. We need some truculence. But Bennett is a centre and doesn’t solve the wingman problem for Petey. I’m a Nelson fan but damn, 33 years old? Not so sure

[Cousin Strawberry]

If it was Eastvander Kane I'd say him but it's that little shit Kane so...

Ok Zucker and Nyquist. I would say Bennett but he will slough 8 mill per out of someone and I don't think that's good value even though he's pretty close to what we need the most

[Chef Boi RD]

If it was Eastvander Kane I'd say him but it's that little shit Kane so...

Ok Zucker and Nyquist. I would say Bennett but he will slough 8 mill per out of someone and I don't think that's good value even though he's pretty close to what we need the most

I meant Patrick Kane is a UFA

[dangler]

With the salary cap going up and the ufa list being short I can see some ridiculous contracts being handed out. Bad time to have to get a #1C. I'd like Bennet or Nelson, but the term they will get will probably be nuts. '26/'27 would be a better year to obtain a C, but the Canucks can't afford to wait.

[Picker of Cherries]

Heard Toews was thinking of a comeback.
Bring in the probably affordable duo of Toews and Kane for a swan song?
Is Chelsea Dagger a swan song?

[Meds]

Chef's post of players.....

Forwards

Marner - Toronto pretty much has to keep him now. While walking him to free agency gives them more July 1st flexibility than they've had in ages, they would be letting a top-5 pick walk for nothing. Marner, while soft, has become the Leaves' best two-way forward in their top-6. He will be getting Rantanen money or better as Rantanen, while very similar production, does not play in all situations. Marner has the most TOI/GP of any Toronto forward, and that includes being the leader in SH/TOI. The big Fin? He averages 2 seconds of SH/TOI per game last year, and hasn't touched the ice in that scenario in Dallas. Marner is someone I would go after in free agency IF the Canucks had a linemate for him with size and skill that created space. Currently adding him (even if it was after moving Pettersson) would still see us as one of the smallest and softest forward groups in the league.

Tavares - If there is a trade that moves Pettersson out and brings back a top-6 C, I would consider Tavares in a "Gillis flew to Sundin" scenario with a 3 year term if the price is right. This team needs veteran leadership in the forward group. Tavares will likely remain a 60+ point centerman for a few more seasons.

Ehlers - Hard pass. Reliable regular season producer to the tune of 60 points. Completely disappears in the post-season.

Nelson - With the exception of 3 seasons he is a 50 point winger. A smart player but at age 33 most likely suited to a 3rd line role over the next couple of seasons.....and likely going to want too much money.

Marchand - The 4 Nations tournament really highlighted his diminishing speed. A smart player, good leader, but at this point he's a 2nd line player who will quickly be a 3rd liner unless I miss my guess.

Boeser - He's our Mitch Marner situation. Does he stay or does he go? I had hoped he would stay because I like the guy and had hoped he would re-up with a home-town discount. I think management burned that bridge and now he will only stay for market value. This could be good or bad for the Canucks.....if nobody was offering much for him at the TDL then maybe he tests the UFA waters and discovers that his value is not what he thought and just stays here. It's bad because the Canucks have been rather disrespectful this year and he may just move on for less than the team will offer. With what the salary cap is projected to be, I hope he sticks for $7M or less.

Bennett - This should be target Numero Uno for Vancouver. He's an asshole, and one who can contribute 60 points in the regular season. His playoff numbers (if you ignore his rookie year and second year in Florida) are excellent, and the way he plays in the post-season was something most of us here commented on as being something the Canucks need.

Giroux - Not what this team needs.

Duchene - He's been a bit of a yo-yo throughout his career, but when he finds a good fit he is a very productive player. Sometimes 1st line production, sometimes 2nd line or less. He's not tall, but at 5'11" 212lbs, I would put him in the Tavares camp for the Canucks.....a veteran top-6 pivot on a 3 year term.

Suter - Depends upon ask and how badly he wants to stay. He's a good 3C for us who can slot up in a pinch. But that is not what the team needs.



Defence

Chychrun - I'd prefer him to 3-Pete as the anchor for the 2nd pairing. However, he has a long history of missing 20 or more games per season due to injury. But after landing in a good system with a good team (Washington) he is proving to be a very good top-5 guy.

Ekblad - A top 4 of Hughes/Hronek and Pettersson/Ekblad would be something to see.

Pionk - Would be a nice addition and it would demote Myers to the 3rd pairing.....would be great depth. I wonder what he will cost though.....

Ultimately, as you said Chef, the need is up front. The only way we do a big add on the blueline is if Myers or Pettersson are moved out.

[Meds]

If i did my maths correctly, in my head, Canucks should have around 22 million in cap space to play with on FA’s day. (That almost scares me, with what they will do with it)

Only free agent I would probably over pay for would be Bennett.

Does that factor the increase in OEL's buyout penalty?

My math says that with OEL's buyout and Desharnais retention, the Canucks will have ~$80M committed to the salary cap next season with an announced cap of $95.5M.....so $15M.

Bennett will cost $8M.....especially if he has another playoff run like his past couple.

[Chef Boi RD]

I worry about what Bennett will get come July. He is primed for an overpayment. I could see a number of teams lining up offers for him, a bidding war for sure. I would not be surprised he signs in Toronto where he is from. Tavares won’t be back in Toronto, IMO, they may have their eyes on Bennett and Marner.

[Chef Boi RD]

Unfortunately the Canucks forward situation cannot wait until the 2026 UFA season. It’s an immediate desperate situation up front in the top 6 unless, that is, if the Aqualini mandate has changed to being “patient”, in which we all know ain’t happening.