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Canucks Offseason Notes V |
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“July 1 is a crazy day.” That was how Patrick Allvin summed up the first day of free agency, and he ain’t wrong…
Throughout the league, teams signed over 150 contracts for over 1 billion dollars – the first time the amount has ever gone that high. The rising cap definitely had an impact, but GMs are also just happy to throw around money. Thankfully, Allvin and Co were pretty level-headed in their approach: after missing out on their Plan A target of Jake Guentzel, they circled around and signed lower-impact but well-rounded players to add depth, scoring, speed, and size to their lineup. Overall, the Canucks signed Jake DeBrusk (7 years, 5.5 mil), Danton Heinen (2 years, 2.25 mil), Kiefer Sherwood (2 years, 1.5 mil), Vincent Desharnais (2 years, 2 mil), and Derek Forbort (1 year, 1.5 mil) to the big team.
Personally, I’m really pleased with all the signings. They didn’t hand out crazy money contracts, they kept the terms low (aside from DeBrusk, who is still only 27 and should be fine into his 30s), and all the players fit into the mold the brass and Tocchet are shaping the team from. Allvin was also happy with how the day with, thankfully.
“I think July 1 is an interesting day, but it's also a scary day,” Allvin told reporters in an afternoon press conference at Rogers Arena. “And I think we were pretty good here today in terms of managing our money and getting, hopefully, good value out of the players we got.
“We felt that we needed to be a faster team in that transition game, and by adding Sherwood, Heinen and DeBrusk, they all can skate.
“You never know until you get (contracts) over the finish line. I think our staff did a really good job in conversations, but the priority as of this morning at nine o’clock was Jake DeBrusk, Heinen, Forbort and Sherwood. Those were our top priorities to get on the phone with right away.”
I’m sure with how the contracts across the league came out that every GM was waiting until noon to start talking to players, but either way the day went well for the Canucks and the new players they’re bringing in should make the team faster, harder to play against, and just generally better. The players themselves are also happy about joining. But let’s take a quick look at each of the player and what they said or what was said about them.
Jake DeBrusk
DeBrusk was one of the younger UFAs at 27, so he still has his prime years in front of him. He’s coming off a 40 point season, but there’s optimism as the last season he played with an elite center was 2022-23: he put up 27 goals and 50 points in 64 games on a line with Patrice Bergeron. Given the Canucks’ center depth and the opportunity for him to play more on the power play, there’s a good chance his numbers climb back up…
“We like his speed and versatility on special teams and he has consistency been able to elevate his game in the playoffs,” Allvin said of DeBrusk. “I envision, unless Tocc finds different lines combinations, him starting with Petey.”
While Allvin name-checked Petey for him to start with, DeBrusk knows either him or Miller are great pivots.
“There are lots of things that go into it and you get to play with Pettersson or (J.T) Miller and it’s a team that’s ready to win and a city that’s ready to win,” DeBrusk told TSN. “Vancouver really pushed hard and really wanted me. I’m very confident and very excited.”
DeBrusk continued talking about his excitement for joining the Canucks:
“I’ve been overwhelmed and I can’t wait to get to the city and I feel very honoured. I like the way they play. Hard to play against and that gives me confidence with the system and the biggest thing is to see the centres they have. It’s a great opportunity for me. Lots of punch there.
“And with the steps they took this year in getting to a Game 7, I’ve been there and understand that and getting a taste of that really helps a team grow. Last year, I took good steps in the defensive side of my game as speed is one of my best attributes. And overall, it’s my consistency. I know it’s a thing a lot of people like to talk about.
“My habits are something I’ll be very focused on.”
I think with that last line he’s gotten the memo about Tocchet.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things and there are obviously connections with my dad and he coaches for that extra effort and execution. I thrive on that,” stressed DeBrusk. “I’ve had coaches in junior cut from same cloth and he (Tocchet) is really eager for me to get started.”
The Canucks are going to need him to add punch to the top of their lineup, and if he does play with Petey I’m sure he’ll be much more thrilled having DeBrusk on his line than Mikheyev.
Danton Heinen
Heinen is a sneaky good add in my books. He’s been on one year contracts the past few years, so him securing a two year deal with his hometown team wasn’t lost on him (he’s from Langley). He took a hometown discount to sign here, so that shows some character already from him.
Heinan had 36 points last year for the Bruins, but is one of those players who can play up and down the lineup and is a great penalty killer as well which is one reason Allvin target him.
“I felt especially in the playoffs that we didn’t have enough options for the coaches to move players around,” said Allvin. “Danton and Pius and very capable of playing different positions.”
Heinen was excited to join the Canucks and come back closer to home.
“It does mean a lot, you know, to play close to home,” Heinen told reporters. “Being local, being from around here, growing up watching the team, it's obviously a place I wanted to play one day. And then. . . the (Canucks) culture, the people, that's something they're growing here that I wanted to be a part of.
“It means a lot playing closer to home and a passionate fan base is something you want. I just want be another cog in the wheel and just be me and pull on the chain.”
Heinen also recanted his favourite Canuck memory: being inside Rogers in 2011 to see Burrows slay the dragon in game 7 against the Blackhawks.
“I remember being at that game,” he said. “That was an exciting time for the organization and the fan base. . . going on that run. Unfortunately, it didn't end the way everybody wanted. But that run is a good memory and that's something, hopefully, we can do — go on a run like that.”
Kiefer Sherwood
Sherwood put up 27 points last year for the Preds, but had a lasting impact in their series against the Canucks. With how he plays the game, he’s going to develop into a Tocchet favourite really quickly. He’s excited to join the team and be a part of their trajectory.
“I got a little close up in the playoffs and that’s what’s excited me to be part of this group because there are a lot of special things brewing,” said Sherwood, who is making his fourth league stop. “I definitely want to be a part of it.
“I try to play my game and be hard to play against and use the physicality to create time and space and also use my shot. Energy is a big word in my identity. I want to show up and earn my stripes because I have a lot of respect for guys in that room and they made it such a hard series.”
I think this quote from Allvin perfectly sums up how much a pain Sherwood can and will be.
“I talked to Quinn here,” Allvin said, referring to Canucks captain Quinn Hughes, “and he was more excited about Sherwood than anyone. He said he pissed the whole team off there in the playoffs and played hard. (Quinn) was happy to get him here.”
Vincent Desharnais
After losing 6-foot-6, 248-pound defenceman Nikita Zadorov in free agency, the Canucks signed 6-foot-7, 226-pound defenceman Desharnais. Allvin and Tocchet seem to be on the same page of signing big boys on the back end, and Desharnais is a big boy.
Desharnais wasn’t exactly a regular for the Oilers last season, but he’s a big able body who plays a lot on the PK. With how the coaching staff have helped defenders grow this past season (example: Tyler Myers), it should be interesting to see how he excels in their system.
Derek Forbort
Another big boy on defense who’s good on the PK. Maybe a little trend here? Forbort clocks in at 6-foot-4, 216 pounds. The Canucks are trying to build some tall towers back there. They’ve also taken three Bruins in free agency, which hopefully will help a bit with their transition to the team.
“Yeah, it definitely helps,” Forbort said in a media Zoom call about the three of them coming over. “I already texted J.D. and said: ‘Where are you buying us a house?’ So we’ll see what he comes up with.”
Forbort was straight forward with why he signed with the Canucks: he wants to win.
“Joining a team that has a chance to win was the first thing I was looking for,” said Forbort, who is making his fifth NHL stop and whose game is predicated on defending down low. “I’m a hard-nosed penalty killer and it’s a good fit because it’s a style I like to play.”
Overall, it was a solid day for the Canucks, and they shaped their team well for the upcoming season. There’s still some work to do around the edges, but now everyone can gear up for next season knowing what this team is going to look like. That’s something Allvin in happy about.
“Absolutely, I'm very pleased with the identity of our team,” Allvin said. “And I think that also makes it easier to attract players to come in here. Obviously, the players talk and they love the environment. Every single player I talked to this morning, they were talking about the fans, the playoff games here, how loud it was and the excitement in the city and all that.”
Now, back to the slow cycle of summer hockey news. But, we still have comments:
Quotes from MacIntyre, Kuzma, The Province
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