The Vancouver Canucks are mostly in wait-and-see mode as training camp approaches, but there’s still one part of the roster picture worth watching. General manager Ryan Johnson may not be done yet, and August has a way of turning quiet when teams finally get players on the ice and start realizing what they actually have.
Two threads stand out right now. One is Paul Cotter’s first brush with free agency and what it says about the player Vancouver just brought in. The other is less obvious, but potentially useful: because the Canucks finished last in the NHL, they’ll have first crack on the waiver wire when the market starts to churn.
Cotter’s path to Vancouver was anything but straightforward. After the New Jersey Devils chose not to give him a qualifying offer in June, the 27-year-old was suddenly searching for a new home despite already having 296 NHL games under his belt. He told The Hockey News he was surprised by the move, and even his agent didn’t see it coming.
What followed was the uncomfortable side of free agency. Cotter described the process as stressful, full of uncertainty and a fair amount of blind faith.
Vancouver moved quickly and showed real interest, which made the decision easier. He signed a one-year, $2.15-million deal with the Canucks on the opening day of free agency, believing they offered the best chance to carve out a meaningful role.
His production slipped last season, when he finished with nine goals and 15 points in 79 games. Still, Vancouver sees a player who can bring size, energy and experience to a rebuilding group.
Cotter’s appeal wasn’t about chasing the perfect landing spot. It was about finding a team that actually wanted him.
He said other teams presented appealing options, so the choice wasn’t simple. In the end, Vancouver stood out because the club made it clear he had a place there and could be part of what they’re trying to build.
After being told by one organization that he was no longer needed, Cotter had to weigh which team would give him the best opportunity. That’s the part of free agency that doesn’t get much shine, but it gives his one-year contract a little more weight than it might seem at first glance.
There’s also a practical upside to the Canucks’ rough finish last season. Nobody celebrates coming in last, but it does come with a small advantage once waiver claims start flying in September. When camps open and rosters begin to get squeezed, Vancouver will sit at the front of the line.
That could make the coming weeks more interesting than they might otherwise be. Johnson might already be set, or he might still be looking for another addition before opening night. Either way, if a useful player gets squeezed out somewhere else, the Canucks will have a strong shot at getting a look.
That’s the beauty of the waiver wire. Every September, one player turns heads in camp and becomes too good to send down.
Another gets caught in a numbers game because a team has too many forwards or too many defencemen. Injuries happen.
Surprise performances happen. Plans that looked tidy in July can unravel quickly.
Vancouver doesn’t need to chase that chaos, but it can benefit from it. Finishing last gives the Canucks priority when players hit waivers, which means they can move quickly if someone appealing becomes available. Matthew Poitras from the Boston Bruins and Kevin Korchinski from the Chicago Blackhawks are two possible names in that mix.
It’s a strange kind of silver lining, since the reason for the priority isn’t anything to brag about. But every now and then, a bad season leaves behind one small edge for later.
This could be one of those moments. Johnson may still have another move in mind, or he may not.
Either way, Vancouver would be smart to keep a close eye on the waiver wire when camps get rolling. First crack at whatever shakes loose is a pretty good place to be.
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