Vancouver Canucks Free Agents: Who Will Stay and Who Will Go?

The Vancouver Canucks have the chance to win their first Stanley Cup championship tonight in Boston.

This Canucks team has dominated all season long, and they are one game away from the promised land.

Unfortunately, with so many Canucks becoming UFAs or RFAs this offseason, it will be impossible for the whole team to remain together next year.

Many of the Canucks' pending free agents have made themselves indispensable this past season and this postseason, practically securing themselves new contracts.

Here is a look at which Canucks will remain in Vancouver next season and which ones will not.

RFA: Jannik Hansen

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 06: Jannik Hansen #36 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Boston Bruins during Game Three of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 6, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

During the 2010-11 season, forward Jannik Hansen scored nine goals and 20 assists for 29 points. He was plus-13 on the season.

During this year's playoffs, Hansen has scored three goals and five assists with a plus/minus rating of plus-six.

Last summer, Hansen signed a one-year deal with the Canucks, worth $825,000 this season. Since he will be an RFA this summer, Hansen can be re-signed for as low as $866,250.

The Canucks can afford to re-sign that, so Hansen will remain a Canuck.

Stay or go: Stay

RFA: Maxim Lapierre

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VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 10: Maxim Lapierre #40 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates with his team after scoring a goal in the third period against the Boston Bruins during Game Five of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 10, 2011 in Vancou

Maxim Lapierre only played 19 games for the Canucks in 2010-11 after being shuffled around from the Montreal Canadiens to the Anaheim Ducks before landing in Vancouver.

He scored one goal as a Canuck in the regular season, 12 points altogether.

In the postseason for the Canucks, Lapierre has scored four points—two assists and two goals. Most importantly, Lapierre scored the game-winning, and only, goal in Game 5, bringing Vancouver within one victory of the Stanley Cup.

As an RFA, Lapierre can be re-signed for as low as $945,000. He will be re-signed by Vancouver.

Stay or go: Stay

UFA: Jeff Tambellini

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 25: Jeff Tambellini #10 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Philips Arena on March 25, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Jeff Tambellini signed with the Vancouver Canucks last summer for one year, worth $500,000. This past season, Tambellini scored 17 points—nine goals and eight assists. He was a plus-10 on the season.

In the playoffs, Tambellini has played in five games and has yet to score a point.

Still, Tambellini can be brought back for a low price, so he'll probably stay as well.

Stay or go: Stay

UFA: Raffi Torres

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VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 10: Johnny Boychuk #55 of the Boston Bruins draws contanct against Raffi Torres #13 of the Vancouver Canucks during Game Five of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 10, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Raffi Torres signed last summer with the Vancouver Canucks for one year, worth $1 million. This past season, Torres scored 29 points, 14 of them goals. He was a plus-four.

In the postseason, Torres has played a pivotal role for the Canucks. He has scored seven points—three goals and four assists.

Most importantly, Torres scored the game-winning and only goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against Boston.

Torres will stay in Vancouver.

Stay or go: Stay

UFA: Chris Higgins

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MAY 18: Christopher Higgins #20 and Mason Raymond #21 of the Vancouver Canucks confer during a break in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals against San Jose Sharks during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena on May 18,

Chris Higgins was traded to the Vancouver Canucks from the Florida Panthers this past season. In 14 games for the Canucks, Higgins scored two goals and three assists.

In the postseason, Higgins has scored eight points—four goals and four assists.

Three of those goals have been game-winning, including the Canucks' first goal of the playoffs in Game 1 of the WCQF against the Chicago Blackhawks. He also scored the GWG in Game 1 of the WCSF against the Nashville Predators.

Higgins earned $1.6 million for 2010-11; the Canucks should be able to re-sign him.

Stay or go: Stay

UFA: Tanner Glass

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MAY 15: Tanner Glass #15 of the Vancouver Canucks looks to pass the puck out of the defensive zone against the San Jose Sharks in the first period in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ro

Tanner Glass re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks last summer for one year, worth $625,000. During the season, Glass scored 10 points—three goals and seven assists.

In the postseason, Glass has yet to record a point.

Glass can probably be re-signed for another year for a low price, so he will likely remain a Canuck as well.

Stay or go: Stay

UFA: Sami Salo

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 08: Sami Salo #6 of the Vancouver Canucks takes a slap shot against the Boston Bruins during Game Four of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 8, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Sami Salo spent the first four months of the 2010-11 season inactive after injuring himself playing floorball in the offseason.

Salo played 27 games for the Canucks and scored seven points. In the postseason, Salo has scored five points.

His 2010-11 salary was $3.5 million. Salo will probably be looking for a contract with a salary in the same ballpark.

In order to re-sign both Kevin Bieksa and Christian Ehrhoff, the Canucks' top offseason priorities, they will probably have to let Salo walk.

Stay or go: Go

UFA: Christian Ehrhoff

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 08: Christian Ehrhoff #5 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Boston Bruins during Game Four of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 8, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Christian Ehrhoff has been one of the Vancouver Canucks' best defensemen. In 2010-11, Ehrhoff scored 50 points—14 goals and 36 assists.

In the postseason, Ehrhoff has 11 points—two goals and nine assists.

Ehrhoff made $3.4 million this past season with a cap hit of $3.1 million. He will be looking for a contract likely worth more.

It's in the Canucks' best interest to try to retain Ehrhoff, as long as they can keep Kevin Bieksa as well.

Stay or go: Stay

UFA: Kevin Bieksa

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VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 04: Kevin Bieksa #3 of the Vancouver Canucks skates with the puck against the Boston Bruins during Game Two of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 4, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Harry Ho

Kevin Bieksa has been one of the most important factors in the Vancouver Canucks' success this past season and postseason.

In the 2010-11 season, Bieksa scored 22 points—six goals and 16 assists—with a plus/minus rating of plus-32.

In the postseason, Bieksa has been even better. Bieksa has 10 points so far—five goals and five assists—including the game and series winner against the San Jose Sharks. He also assisted on Maxim Lapierre's game-winner in Game 5.

Bieksa also leads the Vancouver Canucks in plus/minus at plus-eight.

There is considerable interest in Bieksa on the free agency market. However, Bieksa seems to want to remain in Vancouver, perhaps being a team player and giving the team the "hometown discount."

Stay or go: Stay