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By now, you’ve read plenty about what the Vancouver Canucks did since NHL free agency opened on July 1st. Their big fish ended up being Jake DeBrusk, and they made some other sharp additions up front in Danton Heinen and Kiefer Sherwood. They also added Derek Forbort and Vincent Desharnais on the back end as well.
But this article isn’t about what the Canucks did.
Instead, it’s about what all the players who were Canucks this past season did. More specifically, we’ll be looking back at our predictions for what each player would sign for and what team they’d land with.
Nikita Zadorov: 6 years with the Boston Bruins at $5 million
The Bruins paid up to bring Nikita Zadorov to B-Town. We knew Zadorov was going to get term, but our prediction that he’d get over $6 million annually was flat-out incorrect.
Our prediction: 6 years x $6.5 million with the LA Kings
Teddy Blueger: 2 years with the Vancouver Canucks at $1.8 million
The Canucks got this one done before free agency even opened, and they were smart to do so, especially given some of the other contracts handed out on July 1. Blueger is a versatile centre and, ultimately, a proven commodity that meshed well with the Canucks.
They even managed to get this one in for lower than we predicted!
Our prediction: 2 years x $2 million AAV with the Vancouver Canucks
Tyler Myers: 3 years with the Vancouver Canucks at $3 million
Just as we predicted, Myers was coming back to Vancouver for $3 million annually. What we didn’t quite see coming was the fact that they would pay him that number until he’s 37 years old.
Our prediction: 2 years with the Vancouver Canucks at $3 million
Dakota Joshua: 4 years with the Vancouver Canucks at $3.25 million
Another deal that the Canucks got done ahead of free agency was the club managed to keep the band (their third line) together when they agreed to terms with Joshua on a four-year deal. We were close on this one, but we did admittedly think he was headed for the open market and that he’d accept more money to join a team hoping to add some talent and size to their bottom six.
Our prediction: 4 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs at $3.5 million
Elias Lindholm: 7 years with the Boston Bruins at $7.75 million
Everyone and their mother could have predicted this one, as it feels like Elias Lindholm has been linked to the Boston Bruins for even longer than he was even a member of the Vancouver Canucks. We were close to nailing this one, but were off by .25 million on our dollar figure.
Our prediction: 7 years with the Boston Bruins at $7.5 million
Ian Cole: 1 year with Utah HC at $3.15 million
This is one that most Canucks fans looked at and said “thank god the Canucks didn’t sign this deal.” Ian Cole is a great guy and was solid for the Canucks, but he’ll be 36 years old in February and showed signs of slowing down this past season. I got some flack in the comments section for predicting he’d sign for $3 million, so I must say it was a bit validating to see him ink this contract with Utah on July 1.
Our prediction: 1 year with the Anaheim Ducks at $3 million
Casey DeSmith: 3 years with the Dallas Stars at $1 million
Casey DeSmith will find himself in a good situation in Dallas next year, as the veteran backup goalie inked a three-year contract with the Stars to serve as the backup — and 1B if needed — to Jake Oettinger. With no Latvian kids in the system, DeSmith should get plenty of playing time and have a real opportunity to put up some good results behind a solid Dallas team.
Our prediction: 2 years with the Chicago Blackhawks at $2 million
Sam Lafferty: 2 years with the Buffalo Sabres at $2 million
Remember when we wrote above how Teddy Blueger’s contract with the Canucks looks great compared to some of the contracts signed on July 1? Sam Lafferty’s contract with the Sabres falls into that category, as Buffalo paid up to bring the 29-year-old winger in after a career year in Vancouver. Lafferty put up 13 goals and 11 assists through 79 games played with the Canucks this past season.
Our prediction: 2 years with the Calgary Flames at $1.5 million
