The Vancouver Canucks have bolstered their backend, signing both free agent defensemen Tyler Myers and Jordie Benn as silly season began on Monday.
The Myers deal comes in at five years and $30 million for a $6 million annual average value. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, $16 million comes via signing bonuses.
[ProHockeyTalk’s 2019 NHL free agency tracker]
With how high some rumors were — up to $8 million, on at least one report — the $6 million is a little more palatable. That said, $6 million is still pretty high. Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean you have to buy it.
Myers’ play in Winnipeg only showed well enough to be considered fifth or sixth defensemen, but he’s getting paid like a top-four rearguard and he will surely play that role in Vancouver.
Tyler Myers could help the #Canucks in the short-term, but as a no.4/5 defenceman who’ll be paid as a true number one, it’s an anchor of a contract just waiting to happen. Why the Canucks must avoid Myers in UFA. https://t.co/ZGmFlKbbE1 pic.twitter.com/Z9oLOdv34j
— Harman Dayal (@harmandayal2) June 27, 2019
A defensive liability at times, Myers does have an offensive upside and can play on the power play to varying degrees of success.
Benn’s deal is two years at $2.2 million per. He comes over after spending two an a bit seasons in Montreal.
“Jordie is an experienced defenceman who brings leadership and versatility to our team,” Benning said in a release. “His steady presence will be an example and support to our young players.”
Benn is good when he isn’t overplayed, which was the case at times last year with the Canadiens. Benn can play on both sides of the blue line an is effective at the stay-at-home role and is a solid penalty killer.
At least this won’t happen to Benn again on national television.
The argument for these deals is that the Canucks get better in the short-term. Long-term? We’ll see.
Despite being in rebuild mode, general manager Jim Benning appears to be trying to construct a competitive team at the same time, spending right up to the cap ceiling. He traded away a first-round pick, the best asset any rebuilding team, for J.T. Miller (a good player by no means).
The Canucks still have to sign Brock Boeser, a restricted free agent and one of their brightest young stars. And they’ll be owing Elias Pettersson a hefty contract in a couple years.
So #canucks in FA so far....
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) July 1, 2019
Myers 5 x 6 million
Benn 2 x 2 million
Luongo 3 x 3 million
MORE: Could Luongo’s retirement, cap penalty actually help Canucks?
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Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck.