First up—if you missed it on Thursday, the Vancouver Canucks settled the first of their two arbitration cases when they signed Michael Chaput to a one-year, one-way contract for the 2017-18 season.
Have confirmed that Michael Chaput's deal at $687,500 is a one way deal#Canucks
Now 25, Chaput joined the Canucks organization last season on a relatively cushy two-way contract that paid him $600,000 in the NHL and $225,000 at the minor-league level—but carried a guarantee that he'd make at least $350,000, even if he spent the whole season in the minors.
As it turned out, Chaput was recalled by the Canucks on November 7 after putting up 13 points in 10 games in Utica, and spent the rest of the season with the big club. Chaput had played 58 NHL games over three seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets before joining the Canucks organization. He more than doubled that with 68 NHL games last season, averaging a career high 11:01 of ice time per game with Vancouver while chipping in four goals and nine points. His ice time increased dramatically after Alex Burrows and Jannik Hansen were moved at the trade deadline.
Chaput didn't blow off the doors with his play, but he ended up playing a much bigger role than what was expected when he signed. Unlike most of the Canucks, he also managed to stay healthy over the course of the season, only missing two games in February when he got caught in the mumps outbreak.
In a perfect world, we'll see less of Chaput next season. Hopefully, injuries and illnesses won't be such a significant storyline and hopefully we'll see more effective offensive players eat up minutes that Chaput ended up playing last year.
I'm totally fine with keeping him around for another year but I hope the Canucks have enough depth to keep him in Utica for at least half of the season.
Up next on the contract front—Reid Boucher. His arbitration hearing is scheduled for August 1.
Boucher agent still talking with #Canucks but are prepared for arbitration as well.
And one final note from Dhaliwal. Sounds like the Canucks are starting to move new bodies in to replace the members of the scouting staff that are said to be on their way out:
Head scout Doug Gasper is leaving the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors, been told he will be joining the #Canucks scouting staff.
Earlier this week, Patrick Johnston ran a story in the Province that highlighted Virtanen's strong fancystats during his time in Utica this past season.
As Johnston points out, Virtanen's possession numbers were good when he was with the Canucks, too.
During his time in Utica, I think the Canucks hoped that Virtanen would work on his conditioning—and gain some maturity. Hopefully it helped him to be out of the local fishbowl, playing and living so close to his family and friends. He took a big pay cut during his 65 games in Utica, too.
I hope the relationship that was established in Utica between Travis Green and Virtanen will help the former first-rounder to understand his role and maintain his coach's trust next season. When Virtanen's head is in the right place, he can be a game-changer.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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