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As signings and trades start trickling in, we know a couple things about the Vancouver Canucks already. First, the whole ‘Try and work out a deal for Oliver Ekman-Larsson’ thing appears to have blown up in Jim Benning’s face. And when I say this, it’s not really hyperbole, because in his attempts to land the Arizona rearguard, he has allowed Jacob Markstrom, Tyler Toffoli and Chris Tanev lapse into free agency.
By the sounds of things it looks like the door is closing on Markstrom in Vancouver. On to the Battle of Alberta.
— Irfaan Gaffar (@irfgaffar) October 9, 2020
This is uh, less than optimal.
We’ve got the Edmonton Oilers reportedly making a big offer for Jacob Markstrom. Toffoli will get scooped up, and Tanev will get offers.
We have heard that the Canucks have re-signed Tyler Motte to a 2 year deal. While I am happy that the hard-working Motte was rewarded with a new deal, it’s so very Canucks that the only signings so far have been essentially 4th liners, and they’re still lugging around the contracts of Loui Eriksson, Brandon Sutter, Jay Beagle, and Antoine Roussel.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson's agent Kevin Epp tells me that OEL is staying with the Coyotes: "Time's up."
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) October 9, 2020
So, with the Canucks out of the mix on OEL, this means JB will turn his attention to Tyson Barrie or maybe Travis Hamonic. I know it’s kinda weird that Jim Benning is gonna end up over-paying a player past his prime, but this is where we are. Again.
Some of the other signings so far: Wayne Simmonds signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Henrik Lundqvist is signing with the Washington Capitals, and the Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed Pat Maroon and Luke Schenn. Bobby Ryan signed a 1 year deal with the Detroit Red Wings, and Radko Gudas is off to Florida.