Vancouver Canucks: Can Owen Nolan Make the Canucks Roster?

The Vancouver Canucks signed 39-year-old Owen Nolan to a professional-tryout contract today giving the long time NHLer one more shot at the big leagues.  Queue the jokes about Nolan calling his shot against Luongo.

Does he stand a chance at making the roster? 

Maybe. 

Nolan last played in the NHL in 2009-2010 with Minnesota when he played 73 games and managed a respectable 16 goals.  Last year he played overseas in Zurich where he put up 26 points in 24 Swiss-A league games. 

How does that stack up against a Canucks team that won the President’s Trophy last season? 

Nolan will be a long shot, but there is a chance he could make the squad. 

The Canucks are dealing with a couple of injuries that look like they will linger into the beginning of the season.  This will give Nolan a chance to show whether or not he can still play at this level. 

The Canucks are taking a no-risk shot at maybe capturing something the Boston Bruins had with Mark Recchi the past couple of seasons.  If it works out, the Canucks may find themselves with a savvy veteran who can still provide some timely scoring and depth.  

If it doesn’t work out, they have a body for training camp and can release him with no harm done. 

Owen Nolan clearly isn’t the answer for Vancouver and it’s doubtful at his age that he can play a full season, but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities that he can stick to the club and provide a little bit of depth. 

If he could score 16 goals with a low-scoring Minnesota team two years ago, logic would indicate he could equal that with Vancouver. 

If nothing else, he will provide fans with some intrigue during boring preseason games.