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Vancouver Canucks Sign 1st-Rounder Olli Juolevi, Still Searching for Winger
August 8, 2016, 2:43 PM ET [302 Comments]
Carol Schram
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In the entertainment business, it's common practice among publicists to release bad news on Friday afternoons—items that they hope will fly under the radar and not generate too much attention as folks have one foot out the door on their way to the weekend.

So, I was very surprised when the Vancouver Canucks announced on Friday afternoon. that they had signed their prized first-rounder Olli Juolevi to his entry-level contract. I wasn't surprised that the contract was done, just that they hadn't held off the announcement so that they could generate some fanfare. Juolevi looks like a prize!

Curious.

Anyway, here are the terms of his deal:




Overall, it looks like the Canucks didn't go overboard on the terms of the deal, either. This chart shows that Juolevi's average annual value is well below that of the first four picks from this year, and below the average deals for fifth-overall picks from the last decade.




We also have confirmation that Juolevi does not plan to play in Europe next season:




General manager Jim Benning did do a radio hit to discuss the Juolevi contract. He also reiterated that the team is still looking to add one more winger to its mix.

Because the team already has 23 players signed—not counting Philip Larsen or Anton Rodin—and has just $3.5 million in available cap space, I can see why Benning is more interested in making a trade than signing another free agent, but any trade would need to be an upgrade on the mix that's already in place.

Sounds like Rodin checked out well with the team doctors last week.




Though the trade option would be preferable, it sounds like Jiri Hudler's agent is still doing his best to find a spot for his player with the Canucks:




I can't say I'm keen on the Hudler idea. As good as he was two years ago in Calgary, I feel like his career arc is almost identical to Radim Vrbata's. To me, it feels like he's the same guy, just dressed in a slightly different costume.

I think every general manager should always be looking to make improvements to his team if the opportunity is there, but to me, that doesn't necessarily mean spending money for its own sake or crowding the roster unnecessarily. Unless Benning can manage a serious upgrade, I want to see players like Rodin, Etem, Gaunce, Granlund—and Virtanen—get a chance to show what they can do, rather than hand over a spot to an aging vet like Hudler.

One other note to wrap up today. Did you catch this Brock Boeser goal from the closing game of last week's Summer Showcase?




Boeser says that right now, he's working on his speed an his explosiveness. Sure looks to me like his shot is NHL-ready!
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