[Speculation] Lafferty not interested in returning to Canucks?

[RWJC]

Evening Notes: Myers, Lafferty, Kylington, Markstrom

 

June 11th, 2024 at 8:37pm CST • By Brennan McClain

 

Heading into the offseason, the Vancouver Canucks have several quality players heading for unrestricted free agency. In an article today by David Pagnotta of TheFourthPeriod, he touches on the organization’s negotiations with defenseman Tyler Myers and forward Sam Lafferty.

 

A little over a week ago, it was reported that both Myers and the Canucks wanted to pursue an extension — but it will need to be for a much lower AAV than his previous $6MM salary. It does not appear that the two sides have even started exchanging salary figures, which could push Myers towards unrestricted free agency on July 1st. Vancouver has four defensemen set to hit the open market with an additional restricted free agent to worry about, and the Canucks would be wise to extend some of them well before free agency kicks off.

 

Unlike Myers, it does not appear that Lafferty wants to extend his stay in Vancouver, but Pagnotta points out that the two sides haven’t shut the door completely. After completing his two-year, $2.3MM contract that he originally signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, Lafferty has earned a shot at more earning power this summer after posting 13 goals and 24 points with the Canucks this season.
 

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2024/06/evening-notes-myers-lafferty-kylington-markstrom.html#ref=home

[RWJC]

Cue the “don’t let the door hit ya on the way out, Sam” posts 

[Slegr]

[high flying Vee]

It makes sense. 
he would get much more of a role elsewhere, get his stats up and hope to cash out a bit before he hangs them up. 

[ArmchairGM22]

2 minutes ago, high flying Vee said:

It makes sense. 
he would get much more of a role elsewhere, get his stats up and hope to cash out a bit before he hangs them up. 

He's good enough to be on the 4th line in the NHL as a regular. but on a weaker team. I bet he ends up in SJ, Chicago, Anaheim or Montreal

[Snoop Hogg]

Solid depth forward, but he’s replaceable. Hope he cashes in and gets a better opportunity elsewhere. 

[Goose]

I was hoping for more from SL.  Best both sides move on

[Devron]

[Screw]

I liked him.  Was good on the 4th line.

[DeNiro]

Couldn’t elevate his game come playoff time.

 

Time to shuffle the deck.

[Provost]

He was given fair opportunity in the top six, he was just a 4th liner.

 

Things started out ok in the season, but he fell off pretty quickly.

 

Both sides need to find a better fit.

 

 

[VegasCanuck]

I don't think the Canucks want to extend Lafferty past about 1.25 million and I would guess he's looking for closer to 2 million.

 

Next candidate please...

[Elias Pettersson]

Bye...

[Canuck You]

Welp. Laugherty......

 

[stawns]

36 minutes ago, Goose said:

I was hoping for more from SL.  Best both sides move on

 

I think 13 goals is a solid season from a guy like him 

[GrammaInTheTub]

29 years old, 6’2, heavy bodied (191 hits last season), versatile C/wing, right-handed, has a motor and is coming off 27 and 24 point seasons in his last two year deal. 

28 years old, 6’3, heavy bodied (245

hits last season), versatile C/wing, left-handed, has a motor and is coming off a 24 and 32 point season in his last two year deal.

 

One is Lafferty and one is Joshua.

 

Joshua has received much of the spotlight and rightfully so as he came to play when it mattered most. Lafferty hasn’t been the topic of much discussion around here to date and, to be fair, he did slow down towards the end of the year. Joshua and his linemates mutually benefitted each other and Lafferty was undoubtedly more of a beneficiary from his time in the top six.

 

It’s no knock on Lafferty - I think he’ll do great with whichever team he winds up with. I just think this is a good case study for the eye test when two guys can appear quite similar on paper.

[Outsiders]

1 hour ago, DeNiro said:

Couldn’t elevate his game come playoff time.

 

Time to shuffle the deck.

Yup. Absolute no show. It was pathetic, more like we don't want him back vs him not wanting to come back/explore other options

[GrammaInTheTub]

1 hour ago, Snoop Hogg said:

Solid depth forward, but he’s replaceable. Hope he cashes in and gets a better opportunity elsewhere. 

Agreed. And like @ArmchairGM22 I think he likely finds a good fit with a rebuilding team. He could be another Dickinson type for Chicago. 

[RWJC]

Might be a reach but I could see PIT pursuing him for his speed and Dubas has a tendency to covet certain previous players of his. Not sure Lafferty is one of those but nonetheless he might be an external option for their bottom 6 in the short term, especially 4th line if they can trade Smith and elevate  Bemstrom to 3rd line LW. Might be a place for Lafferty after the fact given he’s a utility F. 

[GrammaInTheTub]

9 minutes ago, RWJC said:

Might be a reach but I could see PIT pursuing him for his speed and Dubas has a tendency to covet certain previous players of his. Not sure Lafferty is one of those but nonetheless he might be an external option for their bottom 6 in the short term, especially 4th line if they can trade Smith and elevate  Bemstrom to 3rd line LW. Might be a place for Lafferty after the fact given he’s a utility F. 

I believe Dubas traded for Lafferty from PIT during his last year with Toronto so the connection is there too.

[RWJC]

I wonder if, as a Lafferty/Joshua type replacement, PA is going to pursue someone like Jordan Martinook of CAR if he makes it to UFA? Brings some real grit, hits and can play PP2 if needed. Former Giant. Might want to come back to the area and would be a great addition if cheap enough. 
 

https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=124022

Edited June 12, 2024 by RWJC

[JamesB]

I am not sure the Canucks would offer Lafferty much -- if anything. Here are some of the reservations.

 

1. His 24 pts in 79 games looks like good for a 4th liner and maybe even in the reasonable range for a 3rd liner. But quite a few of his points came from playing in the top 6 at various times. But he was not good enough to play consistently in the top 6 and his production playing on the 4th line was not much better than replacement level. In fact, Evolving Hockey has his GAR number as -0.6 -- pretty much exactly at replacement level.

 

2. He had a fairly high shooting percentage (17%) and picked up a lot of secondary assists (7 out of 11 total assists) so his scoring numbers are likely to regress.

 

3. His expected goals differential was poor -- another indication that regression is likely.

 

4. He started strong but tailed off badly in the latter part of the regular season and in the playoffs.

 

5. He can play center but is not really good enough to play center on a regular basis. And his face-off percentage was only about 45%.

 

6. The Canucks have several guys who would be in competition with Lafferty for 4th line spots if he returned. That includes Podkolzin, Bains, Karlsson, Sasson, Raty, and Aman--all young and still improving and all cheaper than Lafferty. And the Canucks would like to re-sign Blueger. I could easily see Lafferty as maybe 13th man. If he wants to play regularly, he would be better off on another team.

[Mac]

Not good at hockey.

[Ghostsof1915]

Toronto is that way....

[Alflives]

2 hours ago, Mac said:

Not good at hockey.

Exactly! If he signed for the same cap sure. But he can get more on a crap team, so he will end up on the Haberdoodles. Lots of craperolla there.