9 second-line centre options for Vancouver Canucks in free agency
The Vancouver Canucks entered the 2024-25 season with an incomplete defence, but they’re ending it with a hole at centre.
The back end is much improved, but acquiring Marcus Pettersson and Victor Mancini came at a cost — trading J.T. Miller. It left Vancouver thin up the middle.
Since then, Filip Chytil has suffered a concussion. Given the number of head injuries the 25-year-old Czech centre has already endured during his young career, there is concern about his long-term health.
Pius Suter has had a career year, but he’s a pending unrestricted free agent. The Swiss centre is probably best suited as a third-line centre and might be destined to sign with another team.
Canucks GM Patrik Allvin will surely want to improve his team in a few different areas this summer, but the top priority has to be finding a second-line centre.
That’s a tough player to acquire in a trade, so they may be forced to spend money on one in free agency. Here’s a look at nine pending-UFA centres that could fit the bill, and their cap projections courtesy of AFP Analytics.
Sam Bennett (Florida Panthers)
2024-25 stats: 73 GP, 25 G, 25 A, 50 PTS
Age: 28
Size: 6-foot-1, 193 pounds
Cap projection (AFP Analytics): 6 x $6.3M
Can you think of a more perfect fit for a Rick Tocchet-coached team than Sam Bennett?
The rugged centre has blossomed ever since the Calgary Flames gave up on him four years ago. The Holland Landing, Ontario native helped the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup last year and impressed with Team Canada at the 4 Nations tournament in February.
Bennett’s stock has never been higher, and that could be the problem. AFP Analytics has him on a six-year contract making $6.3 million per season, but that seems low.
Jack Roslovic (Carolina Hurricanes)
2024-25 stats: 73 GP, 21 G, 15 A, 36 PTS
Age: 28
Size: 6-foot-1, 198 pounds
Cap projection (AFP Analytics): 3 x $4M
The Canucks have been linked to Jack Roslovic before, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they signed the right-shot centre in free agency. AFP Analytics projects the 28-year-old to make $4 million annually on a three-year deal, so he might not break the bank.
Yanni Gourde (Tampa Bay Lightning)
2024-25 stats: 50 GP, 6 G, 20 A, 26 PTS
Age: 33
Size: 5-foot-9, 174 pounds
Cap projection (AFP Analytics): 3 x $4.3M
A two-way centre, Yanni Gourde can help a team in a number of ways. Gourde can be used on the penalty kill and as a matchup centre at five-on-five, plus he has the experience of winning two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Mikael Granlund (Dallas Stars)
2024-25 stats: 76 GP, 21 G, 42 A, 63 PTS
Age: 33
Size: 5-foot-10, 185 pounds
Cap projection (AFP Analytics): 2 x $4.6M
Will the Canucks tape another dip in the Sea of Granlund?
Mikael Granlund, the older and more talented brother of former Canucks forward Markus Granlund, is a pending UFA. He’s split this season with San Jose and Dallas and has been a consistent scorer throughout his 13-year NHL career, eclipsing the 60-point plateau on five occasions.
Perhaps the 33-year-old Finn is a fit in Vancouver.
John Tavares (Toronto Maple Leafs)
2024-25 stats: 68 GP, 36 G, 34 A, 70 PTS
Age: 34
Size: 6-foot-1, 211 pounds
Cap projection (AFP Analytics): 3 x $7.9M
He’ll turn 35 in September, but John Tavares is still putting up big numbers with the Toronto Maple Leafs. If the Mississauga native leaves Toronto, he could be a good fit on the west coast. The former Leafs captain brings leadership and stability in addition to his talent.
The question is, how much gas is left in the tank?
Matt Duchene (Dallas Stars)
2024-25 stats: 75 GP, 29 G, 48 A, 77 PTS
Age: 34
Size: 5-foot-11, 212 pounds
Cap projection (AFP Analytics): 3 x $6.4M
Two years after being bought out of his contract by the Nashville Predators, Matt Duchene is enjoying one of the most productive seasons of his career. The Haliburton, Ontario, native has 77 points in 75 games, proving that he’s still an offensive star in the NHL.
He’s 34, so the risk here involves Father Time.
Ryan Donato (Chicago Blackhawks)
2024-25 stats: 73 GP, 29 G, 30 A, 59 PTS
Age: 28
Size: 6-foot-0, 190 pounds
Cap projection (AFP Analytics): 2 x $2.4M
Ryan Donato has had a breakout season with the Chicago Blackhawks, as he’s set to double many of his career highs.
Is the Boston native a true No. 2 centre, or merely a player benefitting from extra ice time on a bad team? That’ll be a question teams will no doubt be asking this summer. If Donato is for real, maybe he’s an affordable second-line centre option.
Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche)
2024-25 stats: 75 GP, 24 G, 29 A, 53 PTS
Age: 33
Size: 6-foot-4, 205 pounds
Cap projection (AFP Analytics): 3 x $6.7M
Brock Nelson cracked Team USA’s roster at the 4 Nations tournament, so it goes without saying that he fits the bill as a second-line centre. He was traded to Colorado this season after 12 years with the New York Islanders, where he was as consistent as they come.
Claude Giroux (Ottawa Senators)
2024-25 stats: 75 GP, 15 G, 32 A, 47 PTS
Age: 37
Size: 5-foot-11, 188 pounds
Cap projection (AFP Analytics): 2 x $6.7M
These are the twilight years of Claude Giroux’s career, but that also means acquiring teams will be offering short-term contracts. The former All-Star is 37 now, so buyer beware.