The Vancouver Canucks have extended qualifying offers to defenceman Jett Woo and goaltender Nikita Tolopilo. General manager Patrik Allvin announced on Monday morning.
Additionally, Allvin shared that the Canucks did not extend qualifying offers to defencemen Cole McWard and Christian Felton, as well as forwards Ty Glover and Tristen Nielsen, making them all unrestricted free agents ahead of July 1 free agency.
Woo, 24, has established himself as an important part of the Abbotsford Canucks’ blueline, tallying six points through 22 games while playing big minutes en route to Abbotsford’s Calder Cup victory. The year prior, Woo tallied a career high 31 points through 62 regular season games.
Tolopilo, 25, had a strong second season with Abbotsford. Trusted as the starting netminder with Arturs Silovs backing up Kevin Lankinen, Tolopilo started 35 games, finishing with a 20-14-2 record, with a 2.66 goals against average and a .902 save percentage, with four shutouts.
His efforts earned him a test in the NHL late in the year, where he won his only start against the San Jose Sharks. The Belarusian netminder came in for relief for Silovs in Game 2 against Coachella Valley, but dropped the contest in overtime.
McWard, 24, was one of the four players who did not receive a qualifying offer. The right-shot defenceman scored six goals and 20 assists for 26 points in 67 regular season games with Abbotsford. McWard started the playoff run as a starter on the blueline, but would only suit up in one game of the Western Conference Finals and did not play in the Calder Cup Finals.
Felton, 25, split the season between the AHL and the ECHL. The defensive defenceman played just 20 games between the two leagues, adding just one assist to his tally. Felton regularly took the ice for pre-game skates during the Calder Cup playoff run, but did not see game action.
Glover, 24, brought energy and physicality to the bottom-six of the Abbotsford roster. After being acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins organization two seasons ago, the Englishman suited up in 37 games in both seasons, adding seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points. He would appear in five postseason games during their Championship run, but did not find the scoresheet.
Nielsen, 25, has been one of the longest-tenured Abbotsford Canuck. Recognized as one of the veterans on the team, Nielsen was utilized up and down the lineup, scoring 52 goals and 62 assists for 114 points in 231 games over his four-year run in Abbotsford.
There is still a possibility that the Canucks will circle back on the unqualified skaters with potential AHL contracts.