Canucks Defenseman Not Allowed to Speak to Other Teams in Free Agency Due to Harsh Team Decision

The reason it was denied is because the Canucks may or may not need Juulsen. It depends on if they trade a right-shot defenceman for top-six [forward] help. If the Canucks move a [Victor] Mancini or a [Tom] Willander for a second-line center, the Canucks may have to re-sign Juulsen to be that six-seven guy.

Juulsen supplies depth the Canucks may badly need. He'll have interest on July 1st. But do not rule him out, depending on what happens here. The fact that [his contract negotiation request] was denied tells you that they still like Juulsen and they might need him.

He's a pending UFA, as his 2-year deal with an AAV (average annual value) of $775,000 expires in the summer.

Juulsen was originally taken with the 26th pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens before eventually being waived in 2021; he was picked up by the Florida Panthers.

Soon, he was traded to the Canucks with Juho Lammikko in exchange for Olli Juolevi.

He has 17 points (3G, 14A) in 157 career NHL games with the Canadiens, Panthers and Canucks.

With free agency just a few weeks away, it will be interesting to see if Juulsen returns to the Canucks or finds a new home on July 1st.