Report: Canucks defenceman Ian Cole will test free agency on July 1st; playoff injury revealed

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Ian Cole will head to the open market when NHL free agency opens on July 1st, according to a report from Rick Dhaliwal of Donnie and Dhali — The Team.

“Looks like Cole is going to hit the free agent market on July 1st,” said Dhaliwal. “He signed that one year deal last year with the Canucks at $3 million. Now, the Canucks would need Cole at a much lower number than three. It doesn’t look like the Canucks will be able to re-sign him after some contract talks I believe over the weekend. In the last week, the two sides could not find common ground but it looks like they did talk. The Canucks really liked this player. They wanted him back, but it looks like he’s going to hit the free agent market after some contract talks that couldn’t find common ground.”

Cole signed a one-year deal with the Canucks last offseason, and the veteran blue liner appeared in 78 regular season games with the club. He was a mainstay on the penalty kill and provided solid defence in the team’s bottom four for most of the season.

Cole was sharp in the Canucks’ first round matchup against the Nashville Predators, but his play dropped off considerably in the second round against the Edmonton Oilers. At end of season media availability, Cole refused to divulge what injury he was playing through, saying that it was no excuse. But today, Dhaliwal later added that Cole was playing through an injury suffered after a collision with Oilers forward Evander Kane.

“In game two, round two, he collided with Evander Kane, he cut his ankle. I believe he played with 8-10 stitches every game, it was tough to get his foot in the boot. Think about it, stitches in your ankle, you’re trying to get a foot in a boot. It’s really hard. So he had a tough time with injuries, but they loved his leadership. Over 1000 games played in the NHL. He played more playoff games than any member of the Canucks, and I’ll never forget JT Miller saying, when Ian Cole talks in the dressing room, we listen. It’s a veteran guy. They did want him back. But it just looks like as of now, it looks like he’s hitting the free agent market.”

Cole will turn 36 next February. Watch the full segment below!