What might be the Canucks’ next piece of business this offseason?

RFA DEALS FOR WOO & TOLOPILO

While the Abbotsford Canucks still bask in the glow of last month’s Calder Cup championship, two members of that team need new contracts. Jett Woo and Nikita Tolopilo both received qualifying offers from the organization, but both remain unsigned restricted free agents. Woo ate up big minutes in Abbotsford all season and would be a veteran presence on the minor league blueline again next season. He’ll turn 25 later this month and still hoping for his first NHL opportunity. Tolopilo served as Arturs Silovs back-up throughout the AHL Playoffs making one relief appearance in the second round against Coachella Valley. He also made a pair of NHL starts late in the season. Neither deal should be difficult to hammer out. And neither player is a likely target for an offer sheet from a competing organization.

SURVEY THE SILOVS TRADE MARKET

With Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen both under contract long term, the future for Arturs Silovs is uncertain to say the least. The 24-year-old Latvian was sensational earning AHL Playoff MVP honours. But he will require waivers next season to be assigned to the minors. As such, there’s likely another team that would claim him. The Canucks have to be mindful of that and certainly don’t want to lose an asset for nothing. This isn’t something that has to be resolved today or tomorrow, but it seems unlikely that Silovs will still be in the mix by the time training camp rolls around. Never say never, but a late summer trade seems likely.

SEARCH FOR CENTRE ICE HELP

The Canucks need to continue their quest to upgrade at centre ice. Whether that means keeping tabs on Jack Roslovic as an unrestricted free agent or circling back with Minnesota on a Marco Rossi deal, the club needs help down the middle and can’t ignore potential options as the summer unfolds. Two years ago, the Canucks found Pius Suter in the bargain bin on August 11th. So, with that in mind, they need to stay on top of the market in case a surprise option shakes free. 

PRACTICE FACILITY

No list like this would or could be complete without a mention of the practice facility. While no announcement on this file seems imminent, the quest to find a location for a new home practice base surely continues. And maybe, just maybe, the club will surprise us all at some point over the next few months with developing news on this front. 

FINISH SEAT REPLACEMENT

This isn’t really the front office’s responsibility. No one expects Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin to be in the Rogers Arena bowl in coveralls and with wrenches in hand. But, as an organization, there is certainly work to do to complete the promised task of replacing all of the seats in the arena. As of last week, about 75% of the lower bowl had been converted from burgundy to new black seats. However, work had yet to begin on the upper bowl. Word from the hockey club was that the project would be completed before opening night. So that gives the Canucks three months still, which seems like enough time to see this project through to conclusion.