With teams gearing up for the start of the regular season, the Vancouver Canucks know they have some major gaps to fill after a lackluster season riddled with injuries and sick players.
Jim Benning, the GM for the Canucks, has added some well needed support to the blue line, taking on a 6 year, $8.25 million deal for Oliver Ekman-Larsson from the Phoenix Coyotes , and signing free agent Tucker Poolman to a 4 year, $10 million contract. Vancouver’s defensive line will be one of the most expensive in the league sitting at a whopping $30 million.
Benning has also bolstered the front end of the lineup with Connor Garland on the right wing, Jason Dickenson and Juho Lammiko playing center. Vasili Podkolzen will make his debut this season after getting drafted by the Canucks in the 10th round.
And when you’d think there couldn’t be anymore signings, Benning made an announcement today with regards to acquiring forward Alex Chiasson with a 1 year, $750,000 contract. Chiasson was one of the many who attended the Canucks tryouts this pre-season. Chiasson played his last 3 seasons in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers amounting 9 goals and 7 assists in 45 games during his 2020-21 season.
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Vancouver’s final line of defense is returning goalie Thatcher Demko with a 5 year, $25 million contract. Demko played outstanding within the month he was scheduled to start in the 2020-21 season, leading Bennings and coaches hoping for similar results for the upcoming season.
Sadly fans of the team are still on edge as concerns over performance circulate. Although much needed holes have been filled, key players such as Brock Besser, Travis Hamonic, Brandon Sutter, and Tyler Mott are all on the DL for the foreseeable future.
The unexpected return of Elias Peterson, and Quinn Hughes has relieved some queries, but patrons are wonder if it will be enough to get the ball rolling for the Canucks who face off against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.