Daniel and Henrik Sedin won’t be back next year for the Vancouver Canucks, for the first time in 17 years. And while the twins are already guaranteed to have the most memorable farewell of any players this offseason, they might not be the only players on the current roster who won’t be returning. After yet another season at the bottom of the NHL standings, there may be changes afoot for Vancouver. This is, after all, one of the franchise’s most important offseasons in recent history. They have two spots in the top six forward group to fill, and a number of expiring contracts to deal with.

The team also must address the players on the team who had middling to poor years, and decide where they fit with the club going forward.

Here’s a few Canucks who could be on the move.

Ben Hutton

Hutton has had a tough campaign, the details of which are described here. It was a massive letdown for a once promising young defender. It could mean that the Canucks (who are already dealing with a logjam on the blueline) move on from Hutton by pursuing a trade.

But he has another year on his contract at $2.8 million and it’s a bit difficult to see another squad take a chance on Hutton at that rate.

Do the Canucks drop him to the AHL at the beginning of next year, allowing another team to scoop him up if they can’t deal him? It’s clear Hutton has fallen out of favour with coach Travis Green, and at this point it’s difficult to see him suiting up in the Orca next season.

“He had a tough year. He had six assists in 61 games, was a healthy scratch I think 12 times. I want him to be better. He went through adversity, how you handle that is important,” said Green in the season-ending press conference.

Asked whether he was getting away from his strengths, Green more or less refused to even acknowledge that he did have strong points in his game.

Does he return?

We’re going to say no. The odds are just too stacked against him.

Derrick Pouliot

Another defenceman, and another victim of the crowded blueline. Pouliot was out of the lineup a few times this year, and was a team worst minus-22. He was also third in defenceman scoring on the team, and had quite a positive start to the season. That faded quickly, but Green seems to trust the former first-round pick in depth roles on his blueline (at least over other players like Hutton).

“Up and down,” said Green when assessing his season. “He’s got to be better next season.”

Does he return?

Yes. He’ll have to sign another contract, but the Canucks can easily re-sign him for cheap.

Markus Granlund

After scoring 19 goals and 32 points in 69 games last season, Granlund posted eight tallies and 12 points in 53 contests this year. It’s a disappointment for sure, but one that can be slightly washed away by the fact that he was primarily used on Travis Green’s shutdown line with Brandon Sutter.

It’s obvious Green trusts him, and it’ll be interesting to see where contract negotiations go, as the forward will certainly want a raise, even as his stats don’t necessitate it. 

Does he return?

Most likely, yes. It’s not like there’s going to be a huge market out there for him and as he’s still effective in Green’s eyes and relatively young, a two-year deal seems inevitable.

Anders Nilsson

After a good start, Nilsson fell apart somewhat and halfway through the year there was no competition for the Canucks’ crease, as Jacob Markstrom gobbled up the majority of the starts.

With Thatcher Demko being the unquestioned goalie of the future and looking quite competent in his first NHL game, it would make a lot of sense for Markstrom and the rookie to split the season next year.

Does he return?

No. In the season-ending conference, Benning mentioned an “open competition” and said that Markstrom gained experience while “Thatcher had an excellent year.” He didn’t mention Nilsson.

Jussi Jokinen

The salary dump became a key fixture during the team’s end of season run, putting up 10 points in 14 games. He’s not seen as an important part of the team going forward, obviously, and probably won’t get another contract at over $1 million.

Does he return?

It’s possible the Canucks bring him back to fill the veteran void left by the Sedins, but we’re betting that Europe is the 35-year-old’s next destination.

Nic Dowd

With three goals in 40 games, Dowd didn’t exactly make a huge mark after coming over in the trade for Jordan Subban.

He made the league minimum this year, and won’t cost more than that to re-sign.

Does he return?

No. The bottom-six will be crowded as players come off the IR and prospects push to make the roster. There’s no room for Dowd.

Chris Tanev

One of the team’s best players, Tanev has been injured a lot in the past couple of years. He moves into the second-last year of his contract next season, and this might be the highest value he’ll hold for a Canucks team that can’t afford to lose him for nothing in free agency.

Does he return?

Management seems intent on bringing Tanev back to usher in a new group of players and ice a competitive team. Maybe he’s moved at the deadline but at this point it seems unlikely he’s moved at the draft or before the start of the campaign, much to many fans’ chagrin.

Sven Baertschi

The team’s first line left-winger for much of the year, Baertschi registered 29 points in 53 games. Will the Canucks have a top six spot for him next year? Probably. His contract is up and he’ll get a raise on his $1.85 million pact, but could Vancouver choose to move him for futures instead? He’s in his prime and may attract some suitors.

Does he return?

Yes. Especially without the Sedins, the Canucks don’t have a plethora of top-six forwards and Benning and co. will want to hang onto Baertschi. Expect him, like Granlund to sign a two-year deal or something in that range.

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