Friday is important on NHL calendars because qualifying offers that have not been accepted by players expire at 5 p.m. ET.
General Fanager reports that 21 players accepted their qualifying offers on deadline day last year. Any player that's concerned about the progress of his contract negotiation and doesn't have arbitration rights can accept the offer and lock down a one-year deal. If a qualifying offer is not accepted, the promise of that guaranteed deal is wiped off the books, which can give a team more negotiating leverage. If a player and his agent feel they're close to signing a longer deal, or one for more money, then the issue of the qualifying offer is basically moot.
The Canucks have just two RFAs left to sign, who have been issued qualifying offers—defenseman Andrey Pedan and right wing Alexandre Grenier. Will they accept what's on the table today?
In
The Province,
Ben Kuzma suggests that these two deals are enough to preclude the possibility that Jim Benning will use free agency to acquire the second-line left wing that he feels he needs. With just over $4 million in available cap space, there's not enough money left on the books to acquire another asset. Nor is there roster space, with 13 NHL forwards already under contract, plus Anton Rodin.
Speaking with Kuzma, Jim Benning acknowledges that his current goal is to find a proper second-line left wing that could offer some insulation as Sven Baertschi develops his game. "We’d like to add a proven scorer who brings some grit to take the pressure off Sven, so he can keep developing at his own pace," Benning said.
And how might he acquire such a player? "We’ve been talking to some teams and it would be a hockey trade,” summed up Benning. “The first part of free agency was guys signing and the second layer is going to be teams wanting to move contracts or bodies. Teams know what we’re looking for and we’ll see how it goes."
The obvious question—what assets can the Canucks dangle in order to upgrade on the wing? Jannik Hansen is the one forward that would be attractive to other teams, but he's attractive to Benning for all the same reasons—a fast, versatile player with decent hands, signed to a cap-friendly deal for another two seasons. "We’re not moving Jannik," Benning stressed.
I think Benning would still be interested in moving the last year of Alex Burrows' contract if he could find a taker, but he'd need to sweeten the pot. That could mean surrendering another good young player—or another high draft pick.
If you missed it, Burrows sounded like a man who expects to be back in a Canucks uniform this fall—and not as a fourth-lner—when
Kuzma spoke with him earlier this week.
"I really feel if I can come to camp and earn a spot, I can be a good factor," said Burrows. "I can see myself playing with Hank (Henrik Sedin) or Bo (Horvat) or (Brandon) Sutter, and if I can be on one of those three lines, I know I can contribute in a positive way."
Burrows is focused on improving his speed this offseason.
"We’re doing a lot of strength days, but we’re doing two or three speed days a week. That’s probably the difference. We used to do at least two days of upper body and now just one. Everything is focused on speed and agility. Hopefully I can have quicker legs coming out of turns and stops and think the game better. You see all the young guys now, their speed is at such a high level. You try to get as close to them as possible."
I thought it was interesting that Burrows name-checked both Jake Virtanen *and* Ben Hutton when asked about the Sedins calling out the kids last season. It sounds like he's hoping to see attitude improvements from both players this fall.
"I think it might have been an eye-opener for them how hard the league is and how good it is. You’ve got to focus all your energy on preparing and playing well and being a real pro about it. I talked to (Ben) Hutton and he had a great experience at the worlds and that will be helpful. As for Jake (Virtanen), he’ll get it one day — hopefully sooner than later. Hopefully, he’s putting in the work and I know guys see him in the gym at the rink every day.”
We have already seen Benning cut ties with first-round picks Hunter Shinkaruk and Jared McCann. I wonder if he'd put Virtanen or Hutton on the block if he thought they were the ingredients needed to upgrade at left wing next season?
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