Alex Grenier and Borna Rendulic will be Group VI UFA

Photo Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin – USA TODAY Sports

Late last month, I broke down why Anton Rodin would become a Group VI UFA at the conclusion of the season. Since that post, I have confirmed that my conclusion is correct.

To further clarify the Canucks situation going forward, I’ve looked at other players who might be affected by similar rules. That brought to my attention that current farm-hands Alexandre Grenier and Borna Rendulic would also become Group VI UFA’s at the conclusion of this season.

Since it’s been a month, we’ll review what makes a player a Group VI UFA.

The relevant article is 10.1c, and is listed below:

In short, any skater that is 25 or older, who has completed three professional seasons but played less than 80 NHL games in their career becomes a UFA at the conclusion of their player contract. That includes time in any European league while under contract with an NHL organization.

For Grenier, he turned 25 in September and has only appeared in 6 NHL games.

Rendulic turns 25 on March 25th and has only appeared in 14 NHL games, all of which was with the Colorado Avalanche before he joined the Canucks organization.

Grenier is playing well at the AHL level and continues to make an impact on the scoresheet. He is currently on a six game point streak, where he has scored in every game and has 17 points in his last 16 games. When you look at the underlying data at the AHL level, Grenier has struggled mightily. At the NHL level, Grenier hasn’t been able to make an impact. At this point, it doesn’t look like another shot given the Canucks still haven’t had a good look at Reid Boucher, and if Rodin’s knee ever gets better, he will get a look.

In a perfect world, the Canucks could get an extended look at Grenier over a series of NHL games.

It is unfortunate the Canucks will likely lose Grenier to free agency, but he hasn’t been able to force his way onto the roster. Similar players are just as available throughout the league in July and August.

Rendulic came to the Canucks this past summer as a UFA because the Colorado Avalanche did not qualify him as an RFA. He has had a bad season for the Comets, with only 5 points in 35 games. After posting 38 games with the San Antonio Rampage last season, there was hope he would push himself into a call-up option this season. But Michael Chaput and Jayson Megna started the season better and were the ones to get the call-up. Rendulic is making $200,000 in the AHL.

So, Rendulic becoming a UFA at the end of this season doesn’t mean much, just means a clearer picture for next season.

NHL/NHLPA collective bargaining agreement can be found here.

Contract information taken from CapFriendly.