Vancouver Canucks motivated not to sit back this offseason

vancouver canucks motivated not to sit back this offseason

Vancouver Canucks HC Rick Tocchet

Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin and head coach Rick Tocchet spoke with the media on Thursday about the team’s plans for the upcoming offseason. Coming off their most successful season in nine years, Allvin started interviews by emphasizing that the team needs to enter the summer with the mindset that they only managed to reach the second round. As shared by Pass It To Bulis’ Daniel Wagner, Allvin said, “I’m not happy sitting here today…we lost our last game and it was only in round two.”

The team’s offseason plans will reflect that high bar, with Allvin most notably sharing that they’re looking to bring in a top-six winger, shares Sportsnet’s Brendan Batchelor. Allvin added that the team is also looking to bring in more speed while Tocchet spoke to needing more creativity and shooting out of the lineup. Each of those attributes could be met by pending Carolina Hurricanes free agent Jake Guentzel, who Vancouver was reportedly very interested in ahead of the trade deadline.

The Hurricanes ultimately acquired Guentzel in exchange for Michael Bunting, top prospects Vaisili Ponomaryov and Cruz Lucius and second- and fifth-round picks in 2024. That’s a tall price to pay for a spring rental and there’s no doubt Carolina will make a hardy push to extend Guentzel after he posted a combined 34 points in 28 games with the club. But Guentzel left the door open to other destinations in his exit interview, acknowledging that hockey is ultimately a business. He’ll almost assuredly be due for an enthusiastic call from Allvin, should he decide to enter the open market.

The search for a top-six winger will headline Vancouver’s summer, with Allvin sharing that the team wants to retain its pending free agents otherwise, per Batchelor.

Allvin went on to name Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Myers and Dakota Joshua as specific free agents the team is looking to retain. There shouldn’t be any push-back from the player’s side, with Joshua’s agent expressing a desire to return on the "Donnie & Dhali Show" while Zadorov speaking openly about his love for Vancouver during exit interviews. The trio are three of Vancouver’s 11 pending free agents – a list that most notably includes Elias Lindholm and backup goaltenders Arturs Silovs and Casey DeSmith. The Canucks paid a pretty penny to acquire Lindholm earlier this season while Silovs earned expanded opportunity with his fantastic playoff run. If and how the Canucks are able to lock up both players will be a major factor in how their 2024-25 roster is constructed.

Among his other thoughts, Allvin also made sure to mention the team’s top prospects – sharing that the team wants to create opportunity for those players. While he didn’t name any players outright, it’s not hard to reason that reigning SHL ’Rookie of the Year’ Jonathan Lekkerimaki is among the top to earn a chance. Lekkerimaki recorded 31 points in 46 SHL games this season, adding two points in six AHL games following the end of Orebro’s season. He signed a three-year, $4.3M entry-level contract in early May and could be one of Vancouver’s most exciting breakout candidates next season. Other top prospects Aatu Raty, Danila Klimovich and defenseman Elias Pettersson could also push for an added role.

Vancouver’s postseason berth was just their second of the last nine seasons, and just their seventh time making it to the second round this century. It seems the team’s leadership core is ready to carry that winning mentality forward, looking at making impacts with externally, internally and prospect decisions.

Want more articles like this? Follow Pro Hockey Rumors on MSN to see more of our exclusive NHL content.

More must-reads:

    Trending slideshow: Who are the current captains of every NHL team? (Provided by Yardbarker)

    OTHER NEWS

    22 minutes ago

    Fans marvel at Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe's daughter being a dead ringer for BOTH of her famous parents in new TikTok video

    22 minutes ago

    Abbie Chatfield receives a VERY personal X-rated gift for her birthday from boyfriend Adam Hyde

    22 minutes ago

    Cabramatta shooting, Sydney: New details emerge as gunman remains at large

    22 minutes ago

    Green Lantern series Lanterns about 'two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery' moves from Max to HBO with eight-episodes

    22 minutes ago

    More embarrassment for scantily-clad Democrat judge Christina Peterson, who was arrested for 'hitting cop' outside Atlanta nightclub

    22 minutes ago

    Christine Baumgartner discount shops at Jenni Kayne in Montecito... after her three children support ex Kevin Costner at Horizon premiere

    22 minutes ago

    Justin Bieber puts his hand on pregnant wife Hailey's growing belly as they share a kiss during lake trip

    23 minutes ago

    Voters have just hours left to apply for ID certificate for General Election

    24 minutes ago

    Lainey Wilson Thought Reba's Grand Ole Opry Invite Was Just a Birthday Gift

    24 minutes ago

    Julian Assange a free man after pleading guilty in US court

    24 minutes ago

    City of Houston makes dozens of cooling centers available Wednesday amid Heat Advisory

    24 minutes ago

    ‘I didn’t realise we were last’: Dylan Brown finds out about Parramatta’s horror demise while watching game on TV

    24 minutes ago

    ‘7ft on his Hind Legs’: World's Tallest Dog Dies After Setting Record

    24 minutes ago

    Rep. Jamaal Bowman loses primary to foe George Latimer

    24 minutes ago

    How property owners are turning the tables on squatters

    24 minutes ago

    Pentagon chief speaks with Russia's defense minister via phone for first time

    24 minutes ago

    Ahmadreza Djalali: Swedish-Iranian prisoner starts hunger strike

    24 minutes ago

    Disappointed Connor McDavid wins Conn Smythe Trophy

    26 minutes ago

    Joey Ortiz homers and Bryse Wilson pitches 6 scoreless innings as Brewers defeat Rangers

    28 minutes ago

    Cabramatta shooting, Sydney: New details emerge as gunman remains at large

    28 minutes ago

    Video: England send fans and WAGs into despair with bore draw against Slovenia - as supporters sleep, families WEEP and Gareth Southgate is pelted with booze (and boos)... but his side win group so avoid Germany, Spain, Portugal or France until the final

    29 minutes ago

    England's big name players have not brought their true selves to this stage - they look lost and are a team waiting to be beaten, writes IAN LADYMAN

    30 minutes ago

    Ger Brennan’s holistic approach has Louth dreaming big as they take on Donegal

    30 minutes ago

    Fort Worth native loses home in New Mexico wildfire

    30 minutes ago

    House Democrat becomes the first Squad member ever defeated in a primary battle

    30 minutes ago

    Why Jamaal Bowman Lost

    30 minutes ago

    Sheri Biggs wins South Carolina GOP primary runoff election to succeed Rep. Duncan

    30 minutes ago

    David sinks Peru to keep Canada alive in Copa America

    30 minutes ago

    Waymo Opens Driverless Rides to Anyone in San Francisco, No Wait List Needed

    30 minutes ago

    Explained: The rules for first US presidential debate

    30 minutes ago

    What happened to assistant referee in Canada match vs. Peru? Copa America official collapses on touchline in Kansas City heat

    30 minutes ago

    Soccer-Assistant referee faints in Peru v Canada Copa America clash

    30 minutes ago

    Where Titans landed in PFT's pre-camp NFL power rankings

    30 minutes ago

    Is Cheese Healthy For People With Heart Disease? A Review By Nutrition Professionals

    33 minutes ago

    Suburban man dies after truck swept away by river amid historic Iowa flooding

    36 minutes ago

    QUENTIN LETTS: If Rishi Sunak's trousers were Norman Wisdom, Nigel Farage's cravat was pure Terry-Thomas

    36 minutes ago

    How you can get unlimited deliveries from Kmart, Bunnings, Priceline, Catch and Officeworks for just $1 with this little-known trick

    36 minutes ago

    Video: Shane Warne's youngest daughter Summer announces her shock new career move

    36 minutes ago

    Multi-national luxury lifestyle retailer with storied history immediately shutters its American stores as it files for bankruptcy in the US

    36 minutes ago

    Beloved father is identified as one of two passengers killed in Carwarp minibus crash that injured nine others