Player set to walk in free agency after ridiculous contract demands

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Austin Sabourin
May 21, 2024 (9:45 PM)

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A Vancouver Canucks player is set to walk after making some ridiculous contract demands.

With the Vancouver Canucks offseason officially starting today GM Patrik Allvin will definitely have a busy offseason.

The Canucks had some low expectations heading into this year and they surpassed that by making it to the second round after beating out the Nashville Predators in 6 games.

Ultimately the Canucks got knocked out by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round in 7 games, which was a very tight series.

They have some big contracts coming off the books in the offseason mostly on the blueline. Most of their big names on defence are set to become free agents this year, including Filip Hronek, Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Myers and Ian Cole.

Some good depth options on offence are also set to be free agents Elias Lindholm, Dakota Joshua, Teddy Blueger and Sam Lafferty. Hronek is the only player that is a RFA which means the Canucks own his rights and he can't walk.

With recent reports it's looking Filip Hronek is going to be the least prioritized come free agency.

Vancouver Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal has reported that Hronek is looking to get $8 million per season on a long-term deal. The 26 year old finally made a name for himself this year, but that was playing along side Quinn Hughes, it would be a risk to give him $8 million a year.

Canucks insider broke down what the Vancouver Canucks will be prioritizing

From Dhali:

"I've got Lindholm and Joshua at #1 and #2... checking in with Lindholm's agent on what it's going to take and it's not going to be cheap. Could it be $7 million? I don't know. Whats he gonna ask for? Joshua led the NHL with hits in the playoffs... his stock did not go down. It's gonna cost over $3 million but I'm telling you with the playoffs he just had if they get closer to July 1st is it going to get to $4 million?"

- Rick Dhaliwal

Okay, so what about defense?

More from Dhali:

"I believe Zadorov may have priced himself out of Vancouver. The city, the fans are loving him. I believe he might have priced himself out... we'll see. He's looking for term, some say over $5 million, some say over $6 million. Myers, he wants to come back to the Canucks. Can the Canucks get him in the $3 million range? Or... can he get $4 million plus on the open market. The Canucks cannot lose both Zadorov and Myers."

- Rick Dhaliwal

Dhaliwal would go on to say that Blueger should be resigned and that all indications are he'll come back in 2024-25.

As for Hronek... it remains to be seen. The Canucks can sign him. They can retain his rights and negotiate the entire offseason or they can trade him for other assets.

Dhali again:

"Filip Hronek... this guy's asking for $8 million. If that $8 million ask continues, the Canucks need to move on. The last I heard the ask by Hronek is not going down. It's strong at $8 million. I can't find anyone in hockey who thinks that guy is worth $8 million but that's what agents do. They ask, but they don't always get."

- Rick Dhaliwal

What's the right move, Canucks fans?

As seen on hockeyfeed - Canucks «need to move on» from Hronek due to ridiculous contract demands