In attempts to get a head start on this year’s free agency, the Vancouver Canucks are being active in the negotiation period by calling many veteran forwards who could help them reach the salary cap ceiling. The $9.2 million in projected salary cap space will likely be used up by the time GM Jim Benning signs his identified targets — a 20+ goal scorer and a versatile two-way player.
But looking at the names he has called so far, there’s something missing. In Mikkel Boedker, the Canucks are looking for speed. In Andrew Ladd, Troy Brouwer, and Milan Lucic, they are looking for physicality.