The Canucks entered free agency with limited cap space and few openings with which to invest it in. This meant identifying an attainable target early and working dutifully to make it happen. Which brings us to the subject of today’s player profile, Matt Bartkowski.

A long-term resident of the Claude Julien doghouse, Bartkowski is hoping a cross-continental trek can help breathe new life into his career. Whereas Bartkowski used to be a top four defender on a Presidents’ Trophy team, he spent much of last season losing shifts to Kevan Miller on a non-playoff team. One can choose to look at this any number of ways, though it’s inarguable that the trajectory isn’t overly positive.

The Canucks are hoping to harness the version of Bartkowski that arrived two seasons prior and there’s reasons aplenty to believe that’s entirely attainable. Some of which I’ll get to, on the other side of the jump.

Bartkowski was a seventh round selection for the Florida Panthers, from the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. It was Bartkowski’s second draft eligible season, an ominous sign for prospects in and of itself. This is reflected in his draft season PCS (Prospect Cohort Success) which had Bartkowski hovering at about 2.5% chance of success, with Mark Eaton as his sole NHL comparable.

The Panthers eventually dealt Bartkowski, along with Dennis Seidenberg, to the Bruins as part of a trade deadline deal which netted Florida Byron Bitz, Craig Weller and a second round selection – an absolute coup by Pete Chiarelli. In the year preceding his acquisition by the Bruins, Bartkowski would suit up for his first NHL game. 

In that season and the two that followed, Bartkowski was used primarily as a depth defender; with extended stays with their AHL club, the Providence Bruins. By the 2013-14 season, Bartkowski had cracked the Bruins roster as a full-time player and was being used primarily on their second pairing. With a solid first pass and transitional acumen, Bartkowski was a possession stud, posting a Corsi For of 54% on the season. And while his offensive contributions aren’t paying the bills by any means, he actually checks out as a fairly efficient playmaker.

The season that followed wasn’t anywhere near as kind to Bartkowski. The stout two-way defender saw his ice-time decrease gradually, before relinquishing his role almost entirely to Kevan Miller. Bartkowski’s possession cratered with a full five point drop. His name spent much of the season in the rumour mill, with his name being most frequently connected to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Zack Kassian. 

With little interest in re-signing Bartkowski, the Bruins let him wade the waters of free agency. Jim Benning acted quickly, signing Bartkowski to a one year deal, worth $1.75-million.

Given the Canucks stated desire to get younger and the roadblock of defenders vying for bottom pairing spots, I’d use the dullest of pencils to mark his roster spot on opening night – keep an eraser handy. While he may start the season strictly as a depth defender, I would expect that he’s a regular by mid-season. Frankly, he’s a better option than either Luca Sbisa or Frankie Corrado, so it would certainly help advance the Canucks goal of remaining competitive.

Presumably, the Canucks will use Bartkowski on their third pairing and penalty kill primarily. Bartkowski should thrive in this capacity, given his performance in Boston prior to last season. Depending on where the Canucks are at the trade deadline, Bartkowski could also be monetized for futures, which is hugely valuable for a team in the middle of a quasi-rebuild.