Canucks: From Sam Reinhart miss to Tyler Toffoli diss, no lack of top-six winger drama (2024)

There was a time to make a prudent Sam Reinhart play and not let Tyler Toffoli slip away.

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The Vancouver Canucks’ historical search for a top-six right winger has been a myriad of hits and misses, and even a memorable diss, as they tried to fill a pressing need.

The current pursuit of Jake Guentzel and Martin Necas is an example of shopping for specific targets, who come with performance and promise and significant sticker shock.

The Carolina Hurricanes will accept a mid-round NHL draft pick for negotiation rights with unrestricted free agent Guentzel, whom the Canucks have long coveted, because they expect the winger will sign elsewhere or test the market July 1.

And while the Hurricanes are listening on restricted free agent Necas, and want star power in return, it’s hard to imagine them parting with two top-six wingers.

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The Canucks could have had Reinhart and Toffoli in their fold had decision-making gone another way.

In 2021, the Canucks could have made a play for the disgruntled Reinhart but went another way in a multi-player swap that summer with the Arizona Coyotes. They have Conor Garland and Oliver-Ekman Larsson’s massive US$19.3 million buyout last June on the books for six years to show for the hope and faith.

Reinhart was a restricted free agent and mired in a mess at Buffalo during the compacted 2020-21 season. Despite Jack Eichel missing the final 33 games with a neck injury, and also wanting to depart the struggling Sabres, Reinhart collected 25 goals for a team-high 40 points in 54 games on the league’s worst club.

Reinhart wanted to go west. It conjured up thoughts of aligning with centre Bo Horvat to fill a need.

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The Canucks had the ninth-overall pick in the 2021 draft. It would have taken that plus a roster player to pry Reinhart away, but that Coyotes’ play got in the way. A multi-layered transaction included a first-rounder and became the promising Dylan Guenther, who’s coming off an 18-goal, 35 point rookie season in 45 games.

Reinhart, 28, had a monster 57 goals this season for the Florida Panthers. The North Vancouver native is a UFA destined for a huge payday with an expiring US$6.5 million salary cap hit, if he hits the market, because the Panthers have 11 UFAs.

Former Canucks defenceman Ed Jovanovski, and current Panthers broadcaster, lived around the corner from the Reinhart clan in West Vancouver. He saw the drive and determination in a strong family hockey lineage led by patriarch, Paul, that spread to Griffin and Max. Paul was selected 12th overall in 1979, Griffin fourth overall in 2012 and Sam second overall in 2014.

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“Sam is such a smart player,” Jovanovski said in a telephone interview before the 2024 Cup Final opener. “People talk about hockey IQ and he finds the holes. A real worker and seems to know where the puck is going to be, especially on the power play (league-leading 27 goals).

“It’s the work ethic. He gets to the tough areas, gets his shot off very quickly and it’s hard to handle. He’s a very humble kid and just goes out there and does his thing. It couldn’t happen to a better guy.”

Toffoli is a UFA who had a combined 33 goals with the New Jersey Devils and the Winnipeg Jets this season. However, he’s best remembered for a tour of force with and against the Canucks.

He proved a seamless fit when acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in February 2020 for Tim Schaller, Tyler Madden plus a second-round and a conditional draft pick. He responded with six goals and 10 points in his first 10 games.

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He developed instant chemistry with Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller before that season was put on hold by COVID-19. Toffoli loved it here. He wanted to finish his career in Vancouver. However, he wasn’t offered a contract and four days into free agency, he fled to the Montreal Canadiens at a bargain US$4.25 million cap hit.

Toffoli torched the Canucks the following season in eight Canadian Division games with 13 points (8-5), including a hat-trick.

Here’s a look at the Canucks’ winger wish-list:

Jake Guentzel, 29, (UFA)

The buzz: Had 30 goals in 67 games this season. Has 38 goals in 69 playoff games and four in six Stanley Cup Final games. Won the Cup as a rookie in Pittsburgh with 21 post-season points (13-8) in 25 games. Has two 40-goal seasons. Can he be lured to West Coast? May stay in U.S., possibly align with Connor Bedard in Chicago.

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Martin Necas, 25 (RFA)

The buzz: Disgruntled at lesser role with Hurricanes. Scored once and added three assists in a 7-3 victory over Sweden to set the stage for a 2-0 gold-medal win over Switzerland at world championship. Necas is fast through the neutral zone. He’s creative. He’s a finisher. Had 53 points (24-29) this season.

Tyler Toffoli, 32, (UFA)

The buzz: Known more for finish than the forecheck and doesn’t get enough credit for hounding pucks and making superb passes. Lots left in the competitive tank. Is he willing to put winning ahead of bigger bucks?

Nikolaj Ehlers, 28 (TBD)

The buzz: Year left at US$6 million cap hit. Put up first-line points while mostly playing second-line role for Jets. Battled neck injury for 61 points (25-36), but has just four career playoff goals in 37 games.

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bkuzma@postmedia.com

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