Four Free Agents Who Could Help Fill Out The Abbotsford Canucks' 2024-25 Roster
A look at four unrestricted free agents who the Abbotsford Canucks should look at this offseason.
Photo by Steve Lanava / USA TODAY NETWORK - Four Free Agents Who Could Help Fill Out The Abbotsford Canucks' 2024-25 RosterTwo weeks after free agency opened, there is still plenty of talent left on the open market. While most of the focus has been on ways to improve the NHL roster, the Abbotsford Canucks could also benefit by signing some of the remaining free agents. Here is a look at four players who Abbotsford should consider signing ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Layton Ahac
The Canucks have done a good job bringing local talent to Abbotsford, so why not add one more in defenceman Layton Ahac. Initially a third-round pick by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2019, the North Vancouver-born defenceman played 69 games for the Henderson Silver Knights in what was his third full season with the organization. At 23 years old, the former 2019 BCHL Champion could provide some valuable depth on the Canucks blue line while getting the chance to return to his home Province.
Reece Newkirk
As far as WHL alums go, Reece Newkirk is one of the best options available. Newkirk, who spent four seasons with the Portland Winterhawks, split last year with the Bridgeport Islanders and Worcester Railers. A return to the West Coast might be exactly what Newkirk needs to reset and become a consistent threat at the AHL level.
Mattias Norlinder
Mattias Norlinder is another third-round pick from the 2019 draft that Abbotsford should consider. The left-shot defenceman had nine points in 50 games with the Laval Rockets last season and is connected to Vancouver, having played with Nils Höglander on Sweden's World Juniors team in 2020. Listed at 6'1", 194 pounds, he has the potential to be a solid addition to the Canucks defence core.
Carter Savoie
When it comes to depth scoring, Carter Savoie could be a perfect addition to Abbotsford. The former AJHL star played beside Canucks prospect Ty Mueller with the Sherwood Park Crusaders in 2019-20 and is coming off a season which saw him record 22 points in 63 games with the Bakersfield Condors. With Matthew Savoie already in the division, adding his brother Carter could mean seeing a few editions of the Savoie Bowl next season.
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