As of Saturday morning, 76 percent of the votes in yesterday's poll about the Canucks' performance in free agency have come in as an A or B rating.
Last year, that number was 33 percent. The C grade was the most popular, drawing 45 percent of the vote.
So—the first impression is better. Vancouver caught one of the biggest fish in Loui Eriksson—the best pure goal-scorer available this year among the UFAs. And the Canucks made a number of depth signings later in the day.
In addition to inking defenseman Philip Larsen, who spent last year with Jokerit Helsinki in the KHL, Vancouver added four other players.
Forward Jayson Megna, 26, earned a one-way contract worth $600,000. He's a natural centre but can play all three forward positions and is said to excel at the "energy" side of the game. Despite the one-way contract, Megna has played just 54 games in his NHL career and spent most of last season with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL as part of the New York Rangers organization.
With Henrik Sedin, Bo Horvat, Brandon Sutter and Markus Granlund all ahead of him on the depth chart, it would be a surprise to see Megna stick with the big club in the middle. He'll have plenty to prove during training camp.
Here are the three other signings that occurred later on Friday:
• Michael Chaput is a 24-year-old centre who was originally drafted in the third round in 2010 by the Philadelphia Flyers. He has 58 games of NHL experience with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but spent most of last season with the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters, the team that won the Calder Cup. Chaput has good size at 6'2" and 204 pounds. He was also the leading scorer and MVP of the 2012 Memorial Cup with the Shawinigan Cataractes.
Chaput's on a two-way deal.
• Borna Rendulic is a 6'2, 200-pound right wing who was the first Croatian-born player ever to join the NHL when he signed as a free agent with the Colorado Avalanche in 2014 after getting his start in the Finnish league. He played 14 NHL games over two seasons in Colorado. Rendulic is said to have some offensive skill to go along with his good-sized frame.
General Fanager shows Rendulic on a one-year, two-way deal that pays $575,000 at the NHL level and $200,000 in the minors.
• Chad Billins is a 27-year-old defenseman who has spent the last two seasons in Sweden. The Michigan native, who's just 5'10" and 175 pounds, came up through the college route and hit his career peak in 2013-14, when he dressed for 10 games with the Calgary Flames.
Billins' contract is also for one year and will pay $600,000 at the NHL level and $225,000 in the minors, with a $300,000 guarantee, according to
General Fanager.
It looks like the Utica Comets are getting a nice dose of size and skill up front, and I like that winning pedigree that Chaput brings.
One of the original Comets has moved on today, however. After three seasons in Utica and finally playing his first (and only) NHL game with the Canucks, Alex Friesen has signed a one-year, two-way deal with the St. Louis Blues.
Also, if you missed it yesterday, Yannick Weber has a new home with the Nashville Predators.
I would love to see how Yannick would look if he slid into one of Shea Weber's old Nashville No. 6 jerseys. Apparently he will be getting a new number next season.
General Fanager reports that Weber's deal is for the league minimum of $575,000.
That brings us up to date on the comings and goings in Canuck-land for now. Up next—development camp, which officially starts on Monday in Shawnigan Lake.
The prospects are already in town and have started with fitness testing:
They also took in the Vancouver Canadians game on Friday night at Nat Bailey Stadium.
Not a great showing for All-American boy Brock Boeser when he threw out the first pitch, though. Good velocity, just not enough distance!
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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