Ian Cole is expected to hit the free agency market on July 1.

According to a report by Rick Dhaliwal of "Donnie and Dhali," Ian Cole is expected to hit the free agent market on July 1. While fans may have been frustrated by Cole during the postseason, the 35-year-old played a vital role on this team and will be missed if he chooses to sign elsewhere. Replacing him won't be easy as he had an impact not only on the ice but also in the locker room.

During the 2023-24 season, Cole mostly played on the third pairing while also being used heavily on the penalty kill. He averaged 18:41 of ice time and finished the campaign with ten points, 166 hits and 83 blocks in 78 games. Cole also finished as one of the defence leaders in xGF% during both the regular season and playoffs while also finishing above 50% all year in HDCF%. Even though the lasting image of Cole is pucks deflecting off him and into the net during the postseason, he gave the Canucks steady minutes throughout the year. 

The other part of Cole's game is his work in the locker room. Having won two Stanley Cups and played over 100 postseason games, Cole was able to provide guidance to some of the younger and less experienced players throughout the year. Whether that was talking to players or facing the media after tough losses, Cole was a fantastic leader on and off the ice throughout the season.

If Cole does opt to sign somewhere else, the question becomes, who replaces him? Noah Juulsen seems like the front-runner, but knowing Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin, the organization may want to go out and bring in an experienced defender with playoff experience. If Vancouver does elect to bring in a player, they will also need to be on the cheaper side, as the Canucks will be facing some severe cap restraints this offseason. 

Ultimately, it is going to be a challenge to replace everything that Cole brought to Vancouver this season. He lived up to his contract and was a big reason why the Canucks had one of their best seasons in franchise history. While there is still a chance he could re-sign, it looks like Vancouver will have a Cole-sized hole on their blue line next season.

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

"I'm Just Here For the Riot" Presents The Stories Behind The 2011 Vancouver Riots

Canucks Announce Date And Opponents For 2024 Young Stars Classic

Canucks & Rick Tocchet Haven't Started Extension Discussion

Canucks Make Changes To Coaching Staff

Canucks Goaltending Depth A Big Question Mark Heading Into The 2024 Offseason

REPORT: Canucks Struggling To Meet Hurricanes Price For Necas

The Curious Case of Former Canucks Defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Josh Bloom Scores 2024 Memorial Cup Winning Goal

Canucks Must Be Careful During 2024 Offseason To Avoid Future Cap Issues

Vancouver Canucks Relinquish Rights To Viktor Persson

Josh Bloom, Saginaw Spirit Punch Their Ticket To The 2024 Memorial Cup Final

Former Canucks Defender Making A Case For The 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy