Vancouver Canucks: What Will They Do with Their Impending Free Agents?

The 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are quickly approaching and looking down the road to July 1st, the day free agency begins; the Vancouver Canucks have a few loose ends to tie up and some fairly hefty decisions to make. 

Despite having just five unrestricted free agents, the Canucks also have four restricted free agents that they must decide what to do with. Now while some of these roster moves will be easy for Vancouver General Manager Mike Gillis to make, not all will sit so well with the Canucks fan base, and some players may be hung out to dry. Hockey however, is not just a sport, it is also a business and these decisions must be made in the salary cap era of the NHL.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist

Follow him on Twitter: @JohnBainSports

UFA Aaron Volpatti (LW): 2011/12 Salary = $612,500

At just 26 years of age, Vancouver Canucks tough guy Aaron Volpatti was all ready to play his first complete NHL season until injuries limited him to just 23 games played as shoulder surgery ended his season at the beginning of December.

Unfortunately for Volpatti the influx of toughness brought in by a player like Zack Kassian could hurt his chances of getting resigned to a one-way deal with the team. This does not eliminate the potential for a two-way deal between the Canucks and Chicago Wolves of the AHL which would be a beneficial agreement for both sides as Volpatti could continue his development and the Canucks could call him up when need be.

The British Columbia native would undoubtedly like to stay within his home province's organization, and will most likely take a two-way deal.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist

Follow him on Twitter: @JohnBainSports

UFA Andrew Ebbett (C): 2011/12 Salary = $525,000

Andrew Ebbett's luck may have officially run out this season in Vancouver. At only 29 years of age, Ebbett has spent the last four seasons split with five NHL teams. A player moving around that much is unlikely to find a place to stick. 

Ebbett has just 5 points in 14 games played this season before missing 15 games from November to December with a fractured foot and ultimately having his season ended by a broken collarbone suffered January 9, 2012 in a 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.

His injuries aren't the only thing that have hurt his chances at getting resigned by the Canucks; a surplus of center man -- one of the reasons Cody Hodgson was dealt -- leave Ebbett with no where to play in the Canucks depth chart. It doesn't look like we will see Ebbett in White, Blue, and Green come training camp next season.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist

Follow him on Twitter: @JohnBainSports

UFA Aaron Rome (D): 2011/12 Salary = $750,000

Aaron Rome has been quite the journeyman in the NHL. In his 10-year career, most of his time has been spent in the farm systems of the various teams he has signed with. Until being picked up by Vancouver in 2009-10, Rome had played a grand total of just 26 NHL games. Since being with the Canucks, Rome has played a steady average of around 50 games a season for three campaigns. 

Despite not contributing offensively, Rome has been fairly responsible in his own end as a 6th defenseman despite being a minus player, he is barely under 0. He has also been strong on the puck and a good communicator despite playing sporadically and with different defensive partners almost every time he is on the ice.

Unfortunately for Rome, the Canucks depth at defenseman will rear its ugly head when it comes to his contract situation. With young defenseman in Chris Tanev and Marc-Andre Gragnani appearing to be ready for the big time, and Keith Ballard's lingering contract, the Canucks will probably have to let Rome go and find another team to play for next season.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist

Follow him on Twitter: @JohnBainSports

UFA Samuel Pahlsson (C): 2011/12 Salary = $2.65 Million

Recent trade deadline pick up Samuel Pahlsson's contract situation come free agency will largely depend on how he performs down the stretch to and in the playoffs. He is not the same player he was when he led the Anaheim Ducks to the Stanley Cup in 2006-07, where he had 12 points in 21 games and was a +10.

Pahlsson will be relied on heavily in the playoffs as a depth player and to provide a solid two-way game on the third line. If he is able to prove his worth, the Canucks should offer Pahlsson a contract prior to July 1st. He may have to take a bit of a pay cut if he wants to stay in Vancouver though.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist

Follow him on Twitter: @JohnBainSports

UFA Sami Salo (D): 2011/12 Salary = $2 Million

The Vancouver Canucks final free agent, and arguably their most important, is veteran d-man Sami Salo. The 37 year old is definitely nearing the end of his career, but he still serves as a solid top four defenseman for the Canucks. 

Although he is probably the most injury prone player in the history of the NHL, he has also been one of the Canucks most consistent players averaging just under 30 points in his years with the Canucks. In addition, Salo's hard shot from the point is too valuable to let go. When the Canucks fail to utilize his shot on the powerplay or he is hurt, the team struggles to put pucks in the net with the man advantage. 

Regardless of his health, Sami Salo is too valuable to give up. He has voiced in the past his desire to stay in Vancouver which should be evident by the no movement clause he has in his current contract, and could be open to taking a hometown discount much like Kevin Bieksa did a year ago. The Vancouver Canucks should do their best to lock Salo down for another season.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist

Follow him on Twitter: @JohnBainSports

RFA Dale Weise (RW): 2011/12 Salary = $605,000

Vancouver Canucks forward Dale Weise has been a blessing in disguise for the team this season. An underrated 13th forward who can slide in and out of the lineup with ease, Weise has done just what the team has asked of him this season, go out on the ice and grind away, wearing down opponents.

Weise is a tender 23 years old, and still has much to learn, but his 92 hits this season and 8 points, all while racking up minimal ice time, has been beneficial to the team which he represents. 

A restricted free agent, Weise is deserving of some sort of qualifying offer or even an extension. The Canucks should avoid arbitration with Weise based on his eagerness to play and the fact he wont get more money than whatever it is the Canucks offer.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist

Follow him on Twitter: @JohnBainSports

RFA Marc-Andre Gragnani (D): 2011/12 Salary = $550,000

Acquired in the Cody Hodgson and Alexander Sulzer deal that brought Zack Kassian to Vancouver at the deadline, Marc-Andre Gragnani is a terrific defensive prospect that has brought an immediate impact to the Canucks. 

Having not played very much with the Buffalo Sabres this season, an under utilized young defenseman has found a place to play in Vancouver. With himself and Chris Tanev slated as defenseman of the future for the Canucks, there is no doubt Gragnani will be receiving an extension at the end of this season. Much like Tanev, Gragnani has terrific hockey sense and more often than not makes the right play.

In 2010-11 with the Portland Pirates of the AHL, Gragnani put up 60 points. Not only is he responsible in his own end, but also he has upside to perform offensively in the future for an aging Canucks blue line. The Canucks shouldn't let Gragnani slip away, as he has a bright future ahead.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist

Follow him on Twitter: @JohnBainSports

RFA Mason Raymond (LW): 2011/12 Salary = $2.55 Million

It appears Mason Raymond's relationship with the Vancouver Canucks is slowly dwindling down. The 26 year old forward has seen his best days in Vancouver come and go. Despite his surprising start to the season coming off a broken back suffered in last years Stanley Cup Finals at the hands of Boston Bruin Johnny Boychuk, Raymond's play has pretty much stalled in the New Year.

Whether it is his conditioning or just playing tentatively, Raymond cannot catch a break right now. If his play does not improve in the playoffs you can almost bet the Canucks will try to move Raymond's rights for a late draft pick or qualify and trade him away this summer. 

Mason Raymond no longer fits with the current team, and is not the same player who put up 25 goals just two seasons ago, nor is he worth his current $2.55 million salary. Don't expect Mason Raymond to be around much longer.

To make matters worse for Raymond, his inability to stay on his feet is bringing constant jeers from Canucks fans everywhere, guy cannot catch a break.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist

Follow him on Twitter: @JohnBainSports

RFA Cory Schneider (G): 2011/12 Salary = $900,000

Mike Gillis and the Vancouver Canucks management must finally deal with Cory Schneider's unique situation that they have been avoiding all season. Schneider is arguably the most underpaid goalie in the NHL, and would be a much deserving starter on any other team. 

The unfortunate circumstances surrounding Schneider's contract situation are purely based on what the Canucks choose to do with Roberto Luongo and his massive contract at the end of the season. Should they choose to keep Luongo, they would be faced with what to do with Schneider. Probably the best way to get bang for their buck would be to extend Schneider and deal him away for draft picks or prospects or something more valuable than having him get a big bonus from a arbitrator and having him sit on the bench next season.

There is also the option if the team chooses to kick Roberto Luongo to the curb and give Schneider the starters job. In this case they would extend Schneider long-term -- as in six years as opposed to the 12 years Luongo got -- but this is highly unlikely due to the investment the team has made in Luongo for the long term, and it is unlikely any team would want to pick up Luongo's lucrative contract.

So there you have it, come July 1st, the Canucks will finally have to face the facts and do something with Cory Schneider. They have Eddie Lack ready and waiting in the AHL to become an NHL back up, and the team must do something with Schneider, like it or not Canucks fans, Schneider will most likely be dealt this summer.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist

Follow him on Twitter: @JohnBainSports