Who Gillis should go after
Not only is it obvious that the Canucks need an offensive defenseman, but it is inevitable that they get one. Who is left on the free agent market that could provide the PP quarterback service and a good first pass out of the defensive zone.
There are a few players out there who have been snatched up like Bouwmeester, and Scott Niedermayer. There are 3 D-men that really catch my eye when I look at them: Filip Kuba (3-37-40), Dennis Seidenberg (5-25-30), and Marc-Andre Bergeron (14-18-32).
Seidenberg, 27, is an underrated d-men who knows how to work a powerplay, and you could get for 2-3 Million, an ideal fit for the Canucks. He missed a few games due to injury, but nothing to big.
Kuba, 32, has had 8 straight 20+ point years compared to the Canucks D’s 11 20+ point years, but his last three years he’s had over 30 points, and is coming off a career high 40 point year. Kuba may demand up to 4 million, but, could go as low as 3 mill
Bergeron, 28, is a small defenseman. He can, however, quaterback a powerplay. He could also demand a big pay raise from his 1.7 million he earned last year.
If Canucks can sign one of these defensemen, they can then get rid of the injury-plagued Sami Salo and his 3.5 miliion dollar contract, giving them room to get a top 6 winger.