CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff July 5, 2016
Tag Archives: nhl
Canucks And Jacob Markstrom Close To Contract Extension
Canucks Sign Five More Free Agents On Canada Day After Landing Loui Eriksson
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff July 2, 2016
Canucks signed five more free agents on Canada Day after landing Loui Eriksson, caping off an eventful free agent frenzy.
Canucks sign Jayson Megna to one-year deal
Canucks signed forward Jayson Megna to a one-year, one-way contract that will carry a value of $600,000.
“Jayson brings a combination of size, speed and skill to our team adding depth to our forward group this season,” said Jim Benning. “He has the ability to catch the opposition off-guard with deceptive speed and brings a willingness to play in the difficult areas around the net and in the corners. We’re pleased to be able to add Jayson to the team.”
Megna, 26, split the 2015.16 season between the New York Rangers and the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack. In six games with the Rangers, Megna tallied one goal and one assist (1-1-2) along with two penalty minutes. In 68 games with Hartford, he finished tied for third on the team in goals (15), tied for first in assists (29) and second in points (44). His totals on the year in games played, assists and points were all AHL career-highs.
The 6-1, 195-pound forward has skated in 54 career NHL games over parts of three seasons split between New York and Pittsburgh, registering 12 points (6-6-12) along with 22 penalty minutes. In addition, Megna has appeared in two career NHL playoff games.
Prior to his professional career, Megna played one season with the University of Nebraska-Omaha. During his freshman season in 2011.12, Megna was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team and finished third on the team in goals (13), assists (18) and points (31).
A native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Megna was originally signed by Pittsburgh as a free agent on August 1, 2012.
Canucks sign Philip Larsen to one-year deal
Vancouver signed defenceman Philip Larsen to a one-year, one-way contract that will carry a value of $1,025,000.
“Philip is a skilled, right shot defenceman who can anchor a power play,” said General Manager Jim Benning. “He had a terrific year in the KHL last season and we look forward to him adding offence from the blue line.”
Larsen, 26, spent the 2015.16 season with Jokerit Helsinki of the KHL where he accumulated 38 points (12-26-38) and 39 penalty minutes in 54 games. His 11 goals ranked him tied for second among KHL defencemen while his 36 points ranked him fifth. He also tallied four points (3-1-4) in four playoff games. The 6’1”, 183-pound defenceman has appeared in 125 career NHL games with Dallas and Edmonton, recording 31 points (8-23-31) and 42 penalty minutes.
On the international stage, Larsen has represented Denmark at the World Junior Championships (2008) and the World Championships (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014).
The Esbjerg, Denmark native was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a conditional fifth round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft on February 24, 2016. He was originally drafted by Dallas in the fifth round, 149th overall, at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Canucks sign Chaput, Rendulic & Billins
Canucks signed forwards Michael Chaput and Borna Rendulic as well as defenceman Chad Billins each to a one-year, two-way contract.
Chaput, 24, split the 2015.16 season between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the AHL Lake Erie Monsters. In eight games with Columbus, Chaput posted a goal and an assist (1-1-2) along with five penalty minutes. In 63 games with Lake Erie, he finished second on the team in scoring with 45 points (16-29-45) along with 31 penalty minutes. Chaput also collected eight points (2-6-8) along with with 13 penalty minutes in 17 playoff games to help the Monsters capture their first Calder Cup Championship. The Ile Bizard, Quebec native has registered eight points (2-6-8) and 28 penalty minutes in 58 career NHL games, all with the Blue Jackets.
Chaput was originally selected by Philadelphia in the third round, 89th overall, at the 2010 NHL Draft.
Rendulic, 24, split the 2015.16 season between the Colorado Avalanche and the AHL San Antonio Rampage. He appeared in three games with Colorado and 68 games with San Antonio, where he registered 38 points (16-22-38) and 41 penalty minutes. Among Rampage skaters, his 16 goals ranked second while his 22 assists and 38 points ranked him fifth. The 6-2, 200-pound forward has appeared in 14 NHL regular season games over parts of two seasons with Colorado, collecting a goal and an assist (1-1-2) along with six penalty minutes.
A native of Zagreb, Croatia, Rendulic was the first player born in Croatia to sign a contract with an NHL franchise when he was signed by Colorado as a free agent on May 19, 2014.
Billins, 27, scored 31 points (7-24-31) with Linkopings HC of the Swedish Hockey League during the 2015.16 season. A native of Marysville, Michigan, Billins has played 10 career NHL games with Calgary and has recorded three assists (0-3-3). In 141 career AHL games split with the Abbotsford Heat and Grand Rapids Griffins, Billins has registered 79 points (20-59-79) and was a Calder Cup Champion with Grand Rapids in 2013
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The 5-10, 175-pound defenceman was originally signed by Calgary as a free agent on July 5, 2013.
Source: canucks.nhl.com
Vancouver Canucks Land Forward Loui Eriksson In Free Agent Signing To Boost Scoring Depth
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff July 1, 2016
The Vancouver Canucks secured the services of unrestricted free agent left wing Loui Eriksson on Canada Day.
Eriksson was believed to be asking for a five- or six-year contract worth around $6 million per season going into free agency.
Eriksson, who turns 31 on July 17, has spent the last three seasons with the Boston Bruins.
He has scored more than 20 goals in every 82-game season since 2008. He’s coming off a 30-goal season.
Eriksson signed for 6-years for 6-million per season with the Canucks.
According to TSN.ca, Eriksson:
“Owns tremendous offensive instincts and a goal-scorer’s touch with an accurate shot. Is also good as a playmaker, thanks to excellent stickhandling ability. He’s also great defensively.”
Knocks against Eriksson, according to the TSN website:
“Could stand to add more bulk to his 6-2 frame in order to become a truly elite winger. Plays a somewhat passive game in all three zones, so he needs to keep the fire burning at all times.”
but is an excellent two-way winger.
According to the Canucks website:
“Loui Eriksson has been like the Alex Burrows of the Swedish National men’s Ice Hockey Team since winning World Championship gold with the Sedin twins back in 2013.
There’s a level of familiarity there. Eriksson will turn 31 before next season, but still has the speed and overall checking game to qualify as a high-end defensive winger. He’s also a credible second-line point producer and could conceivably hit 30 goals if given a regular shift with Vancouver’s top line.”
Eriksson was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the 2nd round (33rd overall) in 2003.
Sources: TSN.ca, canucks.nhl.com
Vancouver Canucks Take Candella, Stukel, Abols and McKenzie With Last Picks In 2016 NHL Draft
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff June 25, 2016
The Vancouver Canucks finished off the second and last day of the draft with picks in the 5th, 6th and 7th rounds, after choosing right wing William Lockwood of the USA U-18 team, with the 64th pick in the 3rd round of the 2016 NHL Draft.
With their third pick of the 2016 NHL draft, Vancouver chose defenseman Cole Candella of the Hamilton Bulldogs in the Ontario Hockey League, with the 140th pick (5th round) in the 2016 NHL draft.
With their fourth pick of the 2016 NHL draft, Vancouver chose left wing Jakob Stukel of the Calgary Hitmen in the Western Hockey League, with the 154th pick (6th round) of the 2016 NHL draft.
With their fifth pick of the 2016 NHL draft, Vancouver chose center Rodrigo Abols of the Portland Winter Hawks in the Western Hockey League, with the 184th pick (7th round) in the 2016 NHL draft.
A gritty, hard-working forward with a large frame. An agile skater for his size and is starting to work explosiveness into his game. Smart with and without the puck, and exhibits strength at both ends of the ice. Not the most physical player, but that side of his game will come naturally as he develops more bullish instincts. Loves to battle and works hard to win puck possession on open ice, along the boards, and in the corners. All-in-all, a sizeable forward that has the raw tools it takes to become an effective producer as he elevates his game. (Curtis Joe, EP 2015)
Father: Artis Ābols
With their sixth and last pick of the 2016 NHL draft, Vancouver chose center Brett McKenzie of the North Bay Battalion in the Ontario Hockey League, with the 194th pick (7th round) of the 2016 NHL draft.
McKenzie can be described as a smart defensive forward who skates well and is excellent on the draw. He is not overly physical, but his overall awareness in all 3 zones is coveted. (Tyler Parchem, EP 2015)
Sources: NHL.com, Eliteprospects.com, Youtube
Andrew Phillip Chernoff 