Tough Roster Decisions Ahead As Canucks Enter 2024 Offseason
The Vancouver Canucks will be losing some key players this offseason.
Photo by Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - Tough Roster Decisions Ahead As Canucks Enter 2024 OffseasonThe Vancouver Canucks are in a difficult decision heading into the 2024 offseason. With 20 players at the NHL and AHL level headed for restricted or unrestricted free agency, it is doubtful the organization will be able to bring back the same roster. While the core of the Canucks will return, the pieces that surround them will look very different at the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
The first significant decision Vancouver must make is what to do with Filip Hronek. According to reports, the restricted free agent is asking for eight million this offseason, which would be more than Quinn Hughes and J.T. Miller make. While he showed chemistry with Hughes, Hronek struggled in the postseason, leaving experts and fans to question whether or not he can be a viable top-pair guy for years to come. In the end, the Canucks will need to decide if they want to allot over 9% of their cap to Hronek or if trading him for assets is the best option for the team moving forward.
Next comes the nine unrestricted free agents that were featured on the NHL roster this season. This will be where the major challenge exists, as multiple players played so well this season that they may have priced themselves out of Vancouver's budget. This includes Dakota Joshua and Nikita Zadorov, who the Canucks will want back after the way they performed this season. There are also players in Teddy Blueger, Elias Lindholm, Tyler Myers, Ian Cole, Sam Lafferty and Casey DeSmith, who all played significant roles and will be on Vancouver's radar this offseason. Ultimately, thanks to multiple factors, including a $2,346,667 dead cap hit from the Oliver Ekman-Larsson buyout, the Canucks will once again be up against the cap to start the 2024-25 season.
The Canucks also have some restricted free agents that need new deals this offseason. Artūrs Šilovs is going to be receiving a raise this offseason, while Linus Karlsson, Aiden McDonough, Cole McWard, Nick Cicek and Jett Woo will all need new contracts. While most of the focus is on the NHL team, Vancouver will also need to ensure their pipeline is strong so that the prospects in Abbotsford can be on a competitive team next year.
Now comes the big question, how much money do the Canucks have available this offseason. According to CapFriendly, Vancouver has $23,778,333 in projected cap space, with 15 players signed to the main roster. Assuming Tucker Poolman is on LTIR once again, that number would rise to $26,278,333. While over $26 million seems like a hefty amount, it breaks down to around $2.4 million if divided by 11, which is the number of unrestricted and restricted free agents that played playoff games for the Canucks this year. Ultimately, it is going to be a busy offseason for Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin as they will need to once again build a contender despite losing some key players from their roster.
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