Star player set to walk in free agency after crazy contract demands

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Hunter Bowman
May 21, 2024 (11:33 PM)

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Certain Vancouver Canucks players are set to walk after making some outrageous contract demands.

With the Vancouver Canucks offseason officially starting today after being eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers, GM Patrik Allvin has his work cut out for himself this offseason.

Many expectations were low for the Canucks as they headed into this year, but they managed to pull through and make it to the second round after eliminating the Nashville Predators in six games.

However the Canucks were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round in game seven, despite a very close series.

Many of the Canucks big contracts are coming to an end this offseason, most of the big names that are set to become free agents come from the defensive end, including Filip Hronek, Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Myers and Ian Cole.

Along with many solid offensive players like, Elias Lindholm, Dakota Joshua, Teddy Blueger and Sam Lafferty who are all set to become free agents. With Hronek being the only RFA, meaning the Canucks own his rights and he can't walk.

According to recent reports Filip Hronek seems to be the least prioritized as it comes to free agency.

Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal claims Hronek is looking to get $8 million pre season on a long-term deal. After only making a name for himself this year, as he played along side Quinn Hughes, it would be a great risk to sign him $8 million a year.

Rick Dhaliwal broke down what the Vancouver Canucks seem to have in mind when it comes to prioritizing:

"I've got Lindholm and Joshua at #1 and #2... checking in with Lindholm's agent on what it's going to take and it's not going to be cheap. Could it be $7 million? I don't know. Whats he gonna ask for? Joshua led the NHL with hits in the playoffs... his stock did not go down. It's gonna cost over $3 million but I'm telling you with the playoffs he just had if they get closer to July 1st is it going to get to $4 million?"

Where does that leave the defense?

More from Dhali:

"I believe Zadorov may have priced himself out of Vancouver. The city, the fans are loving him. I believe he might have priced himself out... we'll see. He's looking for term, some say over $5 million, some say over $6 million. Myers, he wants to come back to the Canucks. Can the Canucks get him in the $3 million range? Or... can he get $4 million plus on the open market. The Canucks cannot lose both Zadorov and Myers."

Dhaliwal says Blueger should be resigned and that all indications are he'll come back in 2024-25.

As for Hronek... any this is possible. The Canucks can sign him. They can retain his rights and negotiate the entire offseason or they can trade him for other assets.

Dhali then continued:

"Filip Hronek... this guy's asking for $8 million. If that $8 million ask continues, the Canucks need to move on. The last I heard the ask by Hronek is not going down. It's strong at $8 million. I can't find anyone in hockey who thinks that guy is worth $8 million but that's what agents do. They ask, but they don't always get."

Source: Bruinsinsider
Player set to walk in free agency after ridiculous contract demands