NHL Free Agency 2012: 8 Players the Vancouver Canucks Must Chase

After tearing through the regular season en route to the Presidents' Trophy, the Vancouver Canucks were poised to make a run at a long-sought-after Stanley Cup.

But all of their championship aspirations were for naught, as the Canucks were ousted by the eighth-seeded Los Angeles Kings, 4-1, in the opening round of the playoffs.

Vancouver was undone by their lack of offensive firepower. Regardless of how well Kings goalie Jonathan Quick played against them, a championship-caliber team like the Canucks cannot afford to score a mere eight goals in five games.

Much of the core of this Canucks team is returning for the 2012-2013 season, but they will need to pick up some scoring help in free agency. If Vancouver can do that, as well as replace some departing players on the blue line and in the net, the Canucks will be well equipped to make another run at the title.

Here are the eight free agents who Vancouver ought to go after this summer.

Zach Parise

It would take up just about all of Vancouver's $9.2 million of cap space, and the New Jersey Devils will likely pull out all the stops to keep their captain. But Zach Parise would fit right into the Canucks system and give them the offensive punch they are sorely lacking.

While Daniel Sedin led the Canucks with just 30 goals this season, Parise has lit the lamp at least 31 times in every full season he has played, disregarding his 2010-2011 campaign in which he was limited to just 13 games due to a torn meniscus.

Parise could either shift from left wing to right and replace Alex Burrows on a line with the Daniel and Henrik Sedin, or he would be able to step in alongside fellow American Ryan Kesler and play with the same blend of finesse and physicality that he has in New Jersey.

Either way, if the Canucks can fit him under the cap, Parise would immediately become one of the most dangerous weapons on the team.

Alexander Semin

Alexander Semin may be coming off an off year by his standards, but he would be a worthwhile investment for the Canucks if the price is right.

The left winger has sported erratic scoring numbers in recent years. Semin peaked with 40 goals and 84 points in 2009-2010, but his total of 21 goals this past season was his lowest since his rookie season. Then factor in the apparent indifference the Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons observed during the Washington Capitals' playoff run, and Semin's red flags might be too daunting for Vancouver to take a chance on him.

But if the Canucks believe that Semin would buy in to the workmanlike team culture set by players like Kesler and Burrows, he would provide a dimension to their offense that they are currently lacking.

Semin is one of the best danglers in the league—a guy who can create his own shot when puck movement breaks down. No one on the Canucks can say that right now, and the difference offensive look Semin would provide might be exactly what Vancouver needs.

However, Semin may be courted by teams in the Kontinental Hockey League in his native Russia, and Vancouver would be wary to enter into a bidding war for his services.

P.A. Parenteau

If the Canucks are looking to inject some quickness into their lineup, P.A. Parenteau of the New York Islanders perfectly fits their bill.

Parenteau displays a creative spark on the ice, tallying 49 assists to go along with his 18 goals despite the meager talent the Islanders surrounded him with. The winger is 29, but with just two full NHL seasons under his belt, he is improving as he gains experience. With a playmaker like Parenteau positioned alongside a couple of blue-collar forwards like David Booth and Cody Hodgson, Vancouver's offense would suddenly have three capable scoring lines rather than just two.

A potential road block for Vancouver is Parenteau's popularity in free agency. He is an unknown commodity due to his limited time in the league, but his potential could inspire a number of suitors.

The Canucks ought to see what kind of money Parenteau is looking for, but they might be better off outside the sweepstakes if the price rises too high.

Dustin Penner

A guy who the Vancouver could potentially add into the lineup without breaking the bank is Dustin Penner, but his price tag rises with each Kings victory.

Penner had a regular season rife with adversity, with his poor conditioning and pancake-related injury making the news while he produced just 17 points in 65 games. However, Penner has broken out for 10 points in 14 games thus far in the playoffs.

With Penner's postseason play reminiscent of the days when he scored 32 goals for the Edmonton Oilers in 2009-2010, he is making a great impression on potential free-agent suitors.

While Yahoo! Sports' Greg Wyshynski rightly notes that Penner has redeemed himself in recent weeks, a few weeks cannot completely offset how he slogged through the regular season. If he keeps playing to his full potential, Penner is an imposing power forward who puts a good deal of stress on opposing defenses.

Vancouver could come away with a steal if it nabs Penner while his demand is diminished.

Dennis Wideman

If the Canucks are inclined to invest in their blueliners, Dennis Wideman would be an ideal candidate due to his contributions on both sides of the puck.

Wideman would help make up the hole on defense left by the departure of Sami Salo and Aaron Rome, whose contracts have expired. But Wideman would also fit in right alongside Canucks' Alexander Edler, Kevin Bieksa and Dan Hamhuis as defensemen who produce in the offensive zone. Each of these defensemen was good for over 30 assists last season, and the addition of Wideman would be an improvement over both Salo and Rome in all facets of the game

With another offensive defenseman on the team, Vancouver would be able to have one of their blueliners facilitate the third line in the offensive zone. A guy like Wideman would improve any forwards the Cancucks put around him.

Sami Salo

Should Vancouver decide not to pour too much money into patching up the blue line, it would make sense to consider bringing Sami Salo back into the fold.

Salo displayed veteran grit in regaining a role on the Canucks following a 2010-2011 season in which he spent time in the minors. However, Salo is in the twilight of his career at 37 years old, and he grows less likely to match his modest total of 16 assists with every passing game.

But Vancouver does not need Salo to match up with the opponent's top offensive threat, only to play composed defense on the third line and to keep the puck moving up the ice. If the Canucks decide all they need is some veteran savvy to fill out the defensive lines, they have a man they know they can trust in Salo.

Cory Schneider

Cory Schneider may be Vancouver's backup goalie, but his importance to the Canucks cannot be overstated.

For years, Schneider was marooned in Manitoba with Vancouver's AHL affiliate, getting playing time where he could while perennial Vezina Trophy candidate Roberto Luongo manned the net for the Canucks. But Luongo left Vancouver wanting with his substandard playoff performances and Schneider kept nipping at his heels.

Finally, Schneider forced his way into a true timeshare in net this season, earning 20 wins in the regular season and lining up between the pipes in three of Vancouver's five playoff games.

The timeshare is more a testament to Schneider than an indictment of Luongo, who is under contract for the next decade. While Sean Gentille of Sporting News intimates that the return of Schneider is a foregone conclusion, it would limit Vancouver's ability to bolster the offense that let the team down in the postseason.

Martin Biron

Should the Canucks defy expectations and let Schneider walk, they would be better off not investing heavily in a goalie. If the organization wants to give the starting job in goal to Luongo, they ought to display their trust in him: give Luongo the lion's share of time in goal, then bring in a cost-effective veteran like Martin Biron to spell him.

Biron knows his role after 13 years in the league, winning 12 games for the New York Rangers this past season as Henrik Lundqvist's backup. He has no qualms about the size of his role, and more importantly, he will do what is asked of him in the chase for the cup.

In this regard, Biron and the Canucks would make a perfect match.