Overlooked free agent would be a fantastic fit for Vancouver Canucks
The previous Vancouver Canucks regime developed a propensity for free agent signings in the dog days of summer.
Former Canucks GM Patrik Allvin inked Pius Suter back in August of 2023, a signing that worked out wonderfully for the Canucks. If only they had capitalized on his value at the 2025 trade deadline.
Allvin also signed Daniel Sprong in late July, 2024 and Vitali Kravtsov in August, 2025. While those didn’t work out, it showed that Canucks management was working well into the summer under Allvin.
Could something similar be in store for new Canucks GM Ryan Johnson?
The free agent market is sparse at this time of year. But, as the Canucks proved with Suter, there are often a couple of hidden gems waiting to be unearthed.
CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal reported on Canucks Conversation this week that agents are calling the Canucks to see if there’s a fit in Vancouver.
Dhaliwal floated former Canucks defenceman Ben Hutton as a player whose agent has reportedly called Vancouver. While there’s a storybook feel to the idea, Hutton’s isn’t the player the Canucks should consider among remaining free agents.
But, there’s one player available who the Canucks should be considering.
Why Canucks should target Tolvanen
It’s a bit of a surprise that former first-round pick Eeli Tolvanen is still available in free agency. Among remaining players on the market, Tolvanen is on the younger side at 27 years old. He’s also just one year removed from posting 23 goals and 35 points for the Seattle Kraken, something he accomplished while averaging just 14:03 per game.
Of those 23 goals in 2024-25, 21 came at even strength, the most among Kraken players that season.
Last season, Tolvanen’s scoring output dropped, as he potted just 12 goals. However, he did register 36 points.
The Vihti, Finland native’s role changed drastically in Seattle under new head coach Lane Lambert. After being used in more of a secondary scoring role with more offensive zone starts under previous Kraken coaches, Dave Hakstol and Dan Bylsma, Lambert used Tolvanen as a matchup winger.
Not only that, but Tolvanen’s primary centre at five-on-five was Chandler Stephenson, who was statistically one of the worst defensive players in hockey last season.
Eeli Tolvanen had three points in five games for Finland at the Olympics. (Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images)
The Kraken controlled just 41.3 per cent of shot attempts with Tolvanen and Stephenson on the ice last season at five-on-five. Without Stephenson, Tolvanen’s shot attempt share jumped to 47.1 per cent, while Stephenson’s dropped to 38.6 per cent when he skated without the Finnish winger.
In a different environment, Tolvanen has the chance to rectify his value.
If he can get away from a matchup-heavy role where he’s paired with a statistically awful defensive centre, the 27-year-old has a chance to get closer to the 21 even-strength goals he scored back in 2024-25.
He also has value on the power play, where he led the Kraken among regulars last season with 5.14 points per-60. Tolvanen has also been a part of Seattle’s penalty kill rotation over the last two seasons.
Eeli Tolvanen puts it right to the top shelf 🚨 pic.twitter.com/h4274FJs2p
— NHL (@NHL) January 20, 2026
And, for a smaller guy, Tolvanen isn’t afraid to throw hits. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound winger was second among Kraken players with 187 hits. He recorded more than 200 hits per campaign in the two seasons prior.
Where would Tolvanen fit with Canucks?
A better question might be, would Tolvanen be the Canucks best right winger if he were to join the club?
There’s certainly an argument for it.
Linus Karlsson outproduced Tolvanen last season, but he did so in a sheltered role.
Brock Boeser has been mired by two seasons of inconsistency after his 40-goal campaign in 2023-24, while Brendan Gallagher is trying to resuscitate his own value after being a regular healthy scratch for the Montreal Canadiens in the postseason.
Here’s what the Canucks lines could look like with Tolvanen in the mix.
Liam Ohgren – Marco Rossi – Brock Boeser
Jake DeBrusk – Elias Pettersson – Eeli Tolvanen
Drew O’Connor – Aatu Räty – Linus Karlsson
Paul Cotter – Max Sasson – Brendan Gallagher
Tolvanen could comfortably slot alongside Elias Pettersson based on the fact that he’s used to playing against tough players. And while Pettersson’s game has tailed off, he’s certainly a better defensive centre than Stephenson.
When the Canucks signed Pius Suter to a two-year deal worth $1.6 million per season back in 2023, his contract projection via AFP Analytics was $3.2 million per season.
They basically got him at half price, and they’re in a position to do so with Tolvanen as well.
Tolvanen’s contract projection via AFP Analytics is $3.66 million per season on a two-year deal. Could the Canucks mimic their strategy with Suter and sign him with a cap hit of $1.8 million?
The Canucks have a chance to get a winger they could showcase in a top-six role for dirt cheap. Perhaps Tolvanen’s former Kraken teammate, Jamie Oleksiak, can put in a good word.