5 Free Agents the Vancouver Canucks Should Target in 2015 NHL Offseason

5 Free Agents the Vancouver Canucks Should Target in 2015 NHL Offseason

By Nick Villano

5 Free Agents the Vancouver Canucks Should Target in 2015 NHL Offseason

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The Vancouver Canucks made strides to show they are not dead yet. Despite almost nobody picking them to get to the playoffs, they were on the hunt all season long. They made amazing moves in signing Ryan Miller and Radim Vrbata last season. They look to make moves that could propel them further into the postseason this year.

5. Steve Downie

5. Steve Downie
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5. Steve Downie

5. Steve Downie
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The Pittsburgh Penguins have some of the best role players becoming free agents this offseason. Steve Downie brings a great combination of grit, toughness and scoring ability. He would be perfect on the bottom six of this Canucks team that is so great up top. He just needs to stay out of the box more (238 PIM in 2014-15).

4. Marcel Goc

4. Marcel Goc
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4. Marcel Goc

4. Marcel Goc
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The Canucks don't have a ton of money to spend this offseason. They need to go after players who will make big impacts with little salary cap implications. Marcel Goc has looked like a fish out of water since being traded away from the Florida Panthers. He needs to find the right fit to get back to the player he was two years ago. The Canucks' mix of veterans and young players would make it a great fit.

3. Gregory Campbell

3. Gregory Campbell
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3. Gregory Campbell

3. Gregory Campbell
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Gregory Campbell is best known for finishing a shift on a broken leg. Those are the kind of intangibles that cannot be taught. A win-at-any-costs mentality is exactly what the Canucks need moving forward. They were so close to the Stanley Cup a few years ago; they need guys who will finish for them. Campbell will become a very underrated signing for them.

2. Olli Jokinen

2. Olli Jokinen
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2. Olli Jokinen

2. Olli Jokinen
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Olli Jokinen's value has never been as low as it is right now. He was part of the Cody Franson trade, but talked his way out of Toronto. He was sent to the Blues and immediately did nothing. He continued to do nothing for them all the way until season's end. He could come into Vancouver with something to prove. That either works out great, or doesn't at all. It is worth giving him a shot.

1. Barret Jackman

1. Barret Jackman
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1. Barret Jackman

1. Barret Jackman
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It looks like the Canucks are raiding the Blues' roster to build on their own. The Blues are one of the deepest teams in the NHL. Taking Barret Jackman, who is being let go after spending his entire career with the Blues, would be a great move for the entire roster. He could help the Canucks on and off the ice.

Nick Villano is the NHL feature writer for Rant Sports. He also adds to the site’s NBA, MLB and NFL content. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your Google circle.

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