• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Vancouver Canucks
Canucks Transactions

Why the Canucks’ 2019 Free Agency was a Major Success

By David Quadrelli July 1st, 2019

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Last year, the Vancouver Canucks were targeting grit, character and veteran leadership in free agency. As a result, the team inked Jay Beagle and Antoine Roussel to four-year contracts, both with an average annual value (AAV) of $3 million. This year, the Canucks had one goal in mind – fix the blue line. The team accomplished that and Canucks fans should be incredibly pleased with management’s decisions. It finally feels like this team is ready to start winning some games and challenging for a playoff spot. The dark days are behind us.

The team signed Tyler Myers to a five-year deal with an AAV of $6 million. Myers’ deal carries with it a no-movement clause that goes away after the 2019-20 season, meaning he will not require protection in the Seattle expansion draft. This is a contract that benefits the Canucks, as Myers is a quality defenceman who can give them a much needed offensive boost on the back end. The Canucks also added Victoria, British Columbia native Jordie Benn on a two-year contract with an AAV of $2 million.

Canucks Add Depth

Benn can play both the right and left side, which is exactly what the Canucks need – a versatile veteran defenceman who is solid in his own end. Benn will likely be on the third pairing with fellow BC boy Troy Stecher come opening night. He is a replacement for Ben Hutton and, at the same time, provides a level of grit and veteran leadership that Luke Schenn provided for the Canucks when he was acquired late last season. Schenn signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning with a cap hit of $700,000.

Former Canadien Jordie Benn (Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports)

On top of Myers and Benn’s contracts, the Canucks added more defensive depth in the form of Oscar Fantenberg, who was signed to a one-year deal with a cap hit of $850,000. The Canucks are riddled with injuries almost every single season and the injury bug typically hits their blueliners especially hard.

The Canucks are hoping that these signings, along with the emergence of young and budding superstar Quinn Hughes will take some weight off the 33-year-old Alex Edler and the 29-year-old Chris Tanev, both of whom are often injured. The Canucks had many blueliners from their farm team, the Utica Comets, up playing games with the big club last season because of all the injuries.

Ashton Sautner and Luke Schenn had to be called on to form the third pairing while Troy Stecher and Ben Hutton were logging 30+ minutes each night when both Edler and Tanev were injured. These signings help address the Canucks’ most pressing need, and that is something fans should get excited about.

In the past two seasons, the Canucks came back with the same defence group and, for two straight seasons, Derrick Pouliot and Erik Gudbranson disappointed. The Canucks also added to their goaltending depth with the signing of Zane McIntyre to a one-year, two-way contract.

Canucks Upgrade Defence Without Paying Premium

To put these signings into perspective, the combined cap hit of Quinn Hughes, Benn, and Myers is roughly $1 million dollars higher than the three defencemen who were on the Canucks roster last season for opening night who the team has now parted ways with – Pouliot, Hutton, and Gudbranson. Talk about an upgrade. For a bit more money, the Canucks upgraded their blue line and gave it a much needed new look ahead of next season.

Vancouver Canucks' Quinn Hughes
Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

To top off their successful 2019 free agency, the Canucks also filled a need by adding centreman Tyler Graovac on a one-year, two-way deal with a cap hit of $800,000. The Comets needed a centre, and general manager Jim Benning went out and got them one while, at the same time, adding to the Canucks depth at the center position.

All in all, this year’s free agency tells us that next season will be one where the Canucks are hoping to turn the corner and allow players such as Calder Trophy-winning Elias Pettersson, likely captain Bo Horvat, and American sniper Brock Boeser lead them to their first playoff berth in five years. It’s a good time to be a Canucks fan and, if you aren’t one already, you might want to hop on the bandwagon.

  • Tags
  • 2019 NHL Free Agency
  • Jordie Benn
  • Tyler Myers
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 26th 6:20 PM
Calgary Flames

Tkachuk Shows His Ignorance Discussing Maple Leafs’ Campbell Injury

Jan 26th 6:10 PM
Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights Reaping the Rewards of Zach Whitecloud’s Development

Jan 26th 6:00 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Outlook After First 6 Games of 2020-21

Jan 26th 5:50 PM
Winnipeg Jets

Jets’ 2021 Offseason Free Agent Preview

Jan 26th 5:05 PM
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Unlikely to Call Up Former Fan Favourite Darling

Jan 26th 4:40 PM
Archives

The NHL’s Best Farm Systems Ranked – 2020-21 Season Update

Jan 26th 4:32 PM
Archives

Jimmy Howard’s Red Wings Legacy

Jan 26th 4:25 PM
Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Not Playing to Full Potential in Comeback Wins

Jan 26th 4:15 PM
Colorado Avalanche

Mediocre Avalanche Road Trip Plagued by Inconsistency

Jan 26th 4:05 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Coach Ralph Krueger is a Jack of All Trades

Editor’s Picks
Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information