Eeli Tolvanen Would Be a Great Fit for the Canucks

It’s been over a month since NHL free agency opened, and while most of the big names have signed, there are still many intriguing players left on the market. One such name is former Seattle Kraken winger Eeli Tolvanen.

While the Vancouver Canucks are not looking to compete in 2026-27, they will want to put their best foot forward to inspire confidence among their up-and-coming players. With salary cap space available and clear holes in the forward corps, the Canucks could consider bringing him in.

What Tolvanen Could Bring to the Canucks

There was a time when Tolvanen was one of the best prospects in all of hockey, and while that hasn’t necessarily translated into stardom, he’s been a productive player. The Nashville Predators shockingly waived him after not quite living up to his top-prospect billing, and the Kraken gave him an opportunity that he ran with.

Tolvanen had 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points in 78 games in 2025-26, a bit of a down season by his standards. He recorded a career-high 23 goals the previous season, and had his best mark of 41 points in the campaign before that. He gives teams what they’d want out of a scoring winger, and he has the raw skills to back it up. His shot is perhaps his best attribute, as his maximum shot speed is in the 92nd percentile at 92.8mph per NHL EDGE stats. This lightning release has allowed him to routinely shoot at a percentage in the double digits, though that dropped in 2025-26, which is why his goal total halved. 

One underrated aspect of Tolvanen’s game is his physicality. He hits, and hits, and hits, and hits. He tallied 187 hits last season, with that mark soaring to 237 the previous campaign. This can provide a spark plug for a team, especially as the Canucks have lost plenty of the grittiness they had a couple of seasons ago. He’s also quite effective defensively, and he could serve as a role model in his own end for the developing wingers on the team.

One player comparable to Tolvanen that the Canucks had recently was Kiefer Sherwood. Though perhaps not as effective, Tolvanen offers a similar balance of toughness and a willingness to shoot that can bolster any middle six. With Sherwood being such a success and fan favorite in his short stint in Vancouver, Tolvanen giving the team even 75% of what they got from Sherwood would be a major plus.

Tolvanen’s Price

With Tolvanen still on the market this late into the offseason, he probably won’t be getting a long-term commitment from a team. We may even be entering the territory of a professional tryout (PTO), given what is seemingly a lack of interest currently. With the Canucks’ lack of depth, they could promise him a spot on the squad, even if it’s for a short term.

Tolvanen’s previous deal with the Kraken was a two-year contract with a $3.475 average annual value. On the surface, one could expect him to get less money with a new deal, considering that his goal total halved. With an expanding salary cap and solid underlying metrics, he still could be due for a raise. The Canucks could offer him a one-year, $5-million deal and give him an expanded role, which could bode well for him the next time he is to hit the negotiation table. The Canucks could also try to offer a similar contract to his last; the cap hit is definitely digestible, especially for a team which doesn’t have to worry too much about making the cap work for at least a couple more years. 

Potential Trade Deadline Bait 

A benefit of signing a player like Tolvanen to a short-term deal is that there’s a chance the Canucks can flip him down the stretch at the 2027 Trade Deadline.

Some comparable trades in recent seasons to a Tolvanen deal include the deal of the aforementioned Sherwood last season, who was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a pair of second-round picks and American Hockey League defenseman Cole Clayton. Years prior, the Canucks moved Thomas Vanek, in the midst of his most productive season in a few years, to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Tyler Motte and Jussi Jokinen. Motte in particular proved to be a good piece for the Canucks, as he was a fan favourite and had a solid output for a fourth-line centre.

Of course, it may still be early to be talking about who could be sold at the 2027 Trade Deadline, but it’s something that the front office has to be thinking of. If he can give the Canucks solid production on a short-term deal, many teams will be calling come late February.

Will it Happen?

Will the Canucks bring in Tolvanen? Realistically, probably not. There are plenty of teams that could use him and offer more of a chance to compete, such as the Pittsburgh Penguins. Still, the Canucks should look to leverage their cap space and lack of depth to bring in pieces that could help push the team forward, and if it doesn’t work out, it’ll give them sellable assets at the deadline.