Free agency kicks off tomorrow morning, and in previous years there’s been lots of excitement and anticipation leading up to July 1st, particularly for fans hoping the Vancouver Canucks will go big game hunting. This offseason, however, features a very underwhelming free agent class, and with the Canucks in year one of a rebuild, it’s unlikely we see them make any big additions.

That being said, there are plenty of options on the market this year that did not receive a qualifying offer from their teams, which shifts them to the unrestricted market rather than being restricted free agents.

According to PuckPedia, there are 88 skaters set to hit the open market on July 1st, though many of them are in reality AHL quality players, some of these player could be seen as diamonds in the rough for the Canucks, whether it be to rebuild their value in hopes of flipping them later on, or to make them apart of this team as they look to build for the future.

Let’s take a look at five names, four forwards and one defenceman that the Canucks could be in on.

Matias Maccelli maybe doesn’t fit the mould as far as adding players with size, which would make him harder to flip at the deadline. We’ve seen especially this past season, team’s are typically prioritizing adding size to their lineup ahead of their playoff push rather than adding small skilled wingers. That being said, Maccelli could be a very good option for the Canucks if they’re looking for a true reclamation project. In two seasons in Arizona, Maccelli scored 49 and 57 points. The following year when the team moved to Utah, however, his production saw a pretty drastic decline. This past season, he spent the full year in Toronto, where he had 39 points in 71 games. Not great numbers, but it feels like there’s something to work with when it comes to Maccelli. The Canucks would likely have to find a spot for him in the top-six which could be a challenge, but he is a skilled playmaking winger that could potentially be a fit on the opposite wing with either Jake DeBrusk or Brock Boeser, assuming either of those names are on the roster on opening night.

Paul Cotter could potentially be the best option for the Canucks on this list. The point totals don’t jump off the page by any means, with a career high of 25 three seasons ago, but the style Cotter plays with would make him a perfect fit for the team’s bottom-six. Listed at 6’2 213 pounds, Cotter’s size and defensive ability make him an asset that the Canucks could certainly have a good chance at flipping, assuming he has a solid season with more opportunity. There are some similarities between Cotter and Drew O’Connor’s games, but Cotter plays a more physical brand of hockey that Canucks management have been open about looking to add this offseason.

Since being drafted in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins John Beecher has had some trouble staying in the NHL as a regular in his teams lineup. The Calgary Flames took a chance on him last season, and things didn’t really work out. Beecher played 29 games and recorded just six points. His profile however fits the mould of what the Canucks may be looking for. He’s a 6’3 220 pound left shot centre, that again hasn’t had a ton of opportunity to stick in the NHL. With Teddy Blueger likely headed elsewhere on the open market, adding a player like Beecher to the team’s fourth line or as an extra forward could be a good bet to take especially with the injury history down the middle for the Canucks this past season.

Philip Tomasino could be another option for the Canucks, like Beecher he was a first round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, and though he’s maybe had more NHL opportunity throughout his career so far, he recent spent the majority of this past season in the AHL. Since his rookie year, he’s yet to come close to his point totals he registered but he could come into Vancouver as a solid depth piece with good speed and a good shot. Though he likely wouldn’t be much more than a fourth liner or extra forward, if he were given a chance for success as a regular in the Canucks lineup, he could certainly get you an asset at the trade deadline. His contract would likely be very cheap if not league minimum so this could be a no risk – mediocre reward situation that the Canucks should certainly be willing to take a chance on.

Zac Jones is the final player and only defenceman on this list that is really worth talking about. Jones is a puck-moving left-shot defenceman that spent the entirety of last season in the AHL. The Canucks’ defence core still has some holes in it, and though Jones may not be the answer, he could be an option to add depth to the Canucks’ D-core. He’s not the biggest player at just 5’11 190 pounds, but put up a point per game in the AHL this past season, which is certainly nothing to scoff at. The former New York Ranger could add an element of offence to the Abbotsford blue line, while being a call-up for the Canucks should someone like Zeev Buium go down with injury to come help run the NHL team’s powerplay. Reminiscent to Jack Rathbone back in the day for Canucks fans to get an understanding of what he could realistically be for this team.

Though these options of players may not be the most exciting big swings in free agency, there’s something to be said about adding younger depth to the organization and targeting players who haven’t quite come close to reaching their potential, but maybe with a little more opportunity, these players could return some value assets back to the Canucks.

Let us know what you think Canucks fans, should they target these potential diamonds in the rough, or do you think they should prioritize veterans instead on July 1st?

Daily Faceoff is your Free Agency Headquarters! Big moves. Breaking news. Instant analysis. Daily Faceoff is bringing the team together July 1st for a live Free Agency Special featuring Jeff Marek, Tyler Yaremchuk, Carter Hutton, and Dave Pagnotta. Tune in at noon ET on the Daily Faceoff YouTube Channel and socials for full coverage as the NHL landscape changes – with the PuckPedia-powered signing tracker keeping you up to date on every deal as it happens.