Canucks sign Chaput, Rendulic, Billins

Jul 2 2016, 1:20 am

The Vancouver Canucks have added some depth to their organization, inking centre Michael Chaput, right winger Borna Rendulic, and defenceman Chad Billins to one-year, two-way deals.

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Let’s meet all three.

Michael Chaput

Chaput is a physical, two-way centre that scored 45 points (16-29-45) in 63 games with Lake Erie in the AHL last season. The 24-year-old from Ile Bizard, Quebec also appeared in eight games with Columbus, scoring a goal and an assist.

A 3rd round draft pick by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010, Chaput has 8 points (2-6-8) in 58 career NHL games.

Here’s the scouting report on him from Hockey’s Future:

He has the ability to get lost in high traffic areas, which makes him dangerous in the offensive zone. On defence he relies on his speed and positioning to slow down attacking forwards rather than his physicality. Chaput shows a knack for sneaking through traffic and finding open ice. He is great in the face-off dot .

Borna Rendulic

Rendulic is a 24-year-old winger from Croatia. He became the first player from his country to ever make the NHL.

He played primarily with Colorado’s farm team in San Antonio last season, scoring 38 points (16-22-38) in 68 games. He played in three games for Colorado, and has played 14 career NHL games, scoring a goal and an assist.

At 6-2 and 200 pounds, Hockey’s Future describes Rendulic as “Rendulic is a big-bodied sniper with dazzling hands who is more of a skill player than a power forward.”

Chad Billins

Billins is a former member of the Abbotsford Heat who played last season in Sweden, scoring 31 points (7-24-31) in 50 games for Linkopings HC. A 27-year-old blueliner, he’s played 10 career NHL games, notching three assists.

The product of Marysville, Michigan is undersized at 5-10, 175 pounds, so he relies on his speed and smarts with the puck. He’ll be a good candidate to quarterback the power play next season in Utica.

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