The Vancouver Canucks are preparing to spend to the NHL’s cap in the 2020-21 season, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports.

The team heads into the offseason with a shade over $17-million with key UFA’s in @Jacob Markstrom, @Chris Tanev, @Tyler Toffoli and @Josh Leivo. That’s not including RFA’s like @Tyler Motte, @Jake Virtanen, @Adam Gaudette, @Zack MacEwen and @Troy Stetcher.

Friedman’s report suggests the Canucks are willing to open up the cheque book to make sure some of these players stay. A strong push, I would imagine, will be made for the Canucks to re-sign the likes of Markstrom and Toffoli — the latter doubly so considering the price paid to acquire him at the NHL’s trade deadline.

Vancouver is clearly in a position where another strong push for the playoffs will be made next year, and years after that. It sure is going to be an interesting offseason.

On Twitter: @zjlaing