Vancouver Canucks Free Agency Overview
As the 2025 Free Agency window has officially opened, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the significant changes the Vancouver Canucks have made in their roster over the past five free agency seasons.
2020: A Shaking Up of the Roster
The 2020 free agency proved pivotal for the Canucks, as they bid farewell to several core players, including Jacob Markström, Chris Tanev, Troy Stecher, and Tyler Toffoli, who joined via trade at the deadline. To address their goaltending needs, Vancouver made headlines by signing Braden Holtby from the Washington Capitals to a two-year, $8.6 million deal. Unfortunately, his time in Vancouver was short-lived, concluding with a record of just 7 wins, 11 losses, and 3 overtime losses in 21 games and an underwhelming .889 save percentage.
Alongside Holtby, forward Jayce Hawryluk was added on a one-year, $800,000 deal but only managed two goals and three assists during his brief tenure with the team.
In the subsequent 2021 pre-season, the Canucks brought in defenceman Travis Hamonic on a one-year, $1.25 million contract. Hamonic distinguished himself by remaining with the team for over a single season before being traded to the Ottawa Senators in 2022, contributing six goals and 11 assists over 62 games.
2021: Fortifying the Defensive Lines
The Canucks shifted their focus in 2021 to enhance their organizational depth rather than chasing marquee players. With Alex Edler moving to the Los Angeles Kings and Nate Schmidt traded to the Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver sought to bolster its defensive lineup. The first signing was Tucker Poolman, who, despite a four-year, $2.5 million annual deal, could only manage 43 appearances in two seasons due to injury setbacks.
Following him, Miami-born defender Brady Keeper joined for two seasons at $762,000 per year, while Devante Stephens landed a one-year agreement at $750,000. Both players primarily ended up with the Abbotsford Canucks. Excitement brewed among fans as Luke Schenn returned to Vancouver on a two-year, $850,000 contract. Having previously played 18 games in 2019 and clinched two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Schenn scored eight goals and 30 assists over 121 games until a trade sent him to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2023.
Additional minor signings included Brad Hunt and Kyle Burroughs, who provided depth with their respective one-year and two-year contracts. Together, they contributed significantly to the 2021-2022 season, with Hunt notching three goals and 14 assists, and Burroughs adding a goal and four assists in limited games.
2022: Building Offensive Strength
In 2022, the focus pivoted towards strengthening the forward lineup. The Canucks landed Russian free-agent Andrei Kuzmenko on a lucrative one-year deal worth $950,000, who made a remarkable debut season with 39 goals and 35 assists in 81 games.
Curtis Lazar was another significant acquisition, arriving on a three-year, $1 million per year contract, tallying three goals and two assists before a mid-season trade sent him to the New Jersey Devils. Speed was added in the form of Ilya Mikheyev, who signed a four-year, $4.75 million average annual value contract, recording 24 goals and 35 assists over two seasons before departing in 2024.
The team also signed Dakota Joshua to a two-year, $825,000 contract, and he would be one of the few from this class to remain with the Canucks, contributing 11 goals and 12 assists in his debut season. Defensively, Wyatt Kalynuk and Christian Wolanin solidified the blue line with their one-year, $750,000 deals. Meanwhile, goaltender Collin Delia was signed for depth, replacing the outgoing Halák.
2023: Renewed Focus on Defense
The 2023 offseason saw the Canucks revamping their defensive setup, particularly after releasing Oliver Ekman-Larsson. They brought in three new defenders: Carson Soucy, Ian Cole, and Matt Irwin. Soucy’s three-year, $3.25 million annual deal allowed him to play 99 games with five goals and 11 assists before being traded. Ian Cole played one year at $3 million, afterward signing elsewhere. Irwin served a depth role mostly with the AHL team, Abbotsford.
Vancouver welcomed offensive reinforcement with Teddy Blueger, who added a solid contribution from the third line, and Pius Suter, who demonstrated an impressive offensive upswing in his second year with 25 goals and 21 assists, moving on to new avenues in St. Louis.
2024: New Faces and Future Visions
After a narrow playoff exit, the Canucks embraced transformation by signing five forwards, two defenders, and two goalies. The standout move was acquiring Jake DeBrusk on a seven-year, $5.5 million average annual contract; he led the team with career-high stats of 28 goals and 48 points.
Kiefer Sherwood’s physical play quickly made him a fan favorite, achieving personal bests with 19 goals and entering into a two-year contract. Danton Heinen, who ventured to Pittsburgh midway through the season, added depth with six goals and 12 assists before the trade.
On the blue line, the Canucks signed Derek Forbort, a pivotal shot blocker, and Vincent Desharnais, although Desharnais was part of a later trade involving Heinen. Goaltenders Jiří Patera and Kevin Lankinen rounded out the new signings; Lankinen’s initial one-year deal burgeoned into a lengthy extension following strong performances.
The Canucks’ free agency journey over the past five years illuminates a constant evolution, reshaping the team in search of stability and success. Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the Vancouver Canucks as they navigate another exciting period ahead.
