Evgeny Kuznetsov celebrating a goal during the 2018 Stanley Cup Final.

Photo credit: NHL

A former Stanley Cup champion and first-round pick could be the Vancouver Canucks’ solution for their depth issues they have at the center ice position.

The Vancouver Canucks are still on searching for some help down the begin-to-emerge-for-patrik-allvin-the-vancouver-canucks’ class=”lien_marqueur” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>searching for some help down the middle this summer after the club missed out on a couple of targets in the first week of the free agency window – Christian Dvorak and Mikael Granlund, who ended up with the Philadelphia Flyers and Anaheim Ducks, respectively.

While the free agent market isn’t exactly abundant when it comes to centermen, there is one intriguing option available and it’s someone who knows exactly what it takes to win a championship.

Former Stanley Cup champion could be option for Vancouver Canucks

Earlier this summer, Daria Tuboltsev of RG Media reported, citing the player’s agent, that former National Hockey League forward and 2018 Stanley Cup champion Evgeny Kuznetsov is eying a return to North America and that as many as ten teams had shown interest in him.

“In my view, there are about ten teams where Kuznetsov could be a real asset-where there’s both room on the roster and cap space. I think we could have clarity within a couple of weeks” Kuznetsov’s agent Shumi Babaev said to RG Media at the end of June.

Despite his agent expecting to have clarity on where his client may play during the 2025-26 season, the 33-year-old Kuznetsov remains an unrestricted free agent as of July 17th.

In a recent addition of the Hello Hockey podcast, NHL insider David Pagnotta said that is willing to take a lower salary in the $1-2 million range plus performance bonuses just to be able to return to the league.

“David Pagnotta: Re Evgeny Kuznetsov: He’s willing to take a million, two million bucks plus incentives, somewhere, for…a contender that’s looking to add” NHL Rumour Report said on X.

Kuznetsov, a native of Chelyabinsk, Russia, left North America last summer and signed a four-year deal with KHL club SKA St. Petersburg, where he enjoyed some success playing alongside Montreal Canadiens top prospect Ivan Demidov.

In 39 regular season games with SKA St. Petersburg, Kuznetsov registered 37 points (12 goals, 25 assists), 38 penalty minutes and was a plus-13.

Shortly after SKA’s first round exit from the Gagarin Cup Playoffs, Kuznetsov and the club mutually agreed to terminate the final three years of his contract, making him a UFA in not only North America, but the KHL too.

If Kuznetsov is willing to sign for that cheap as David Pagnotta suggests, then the Vancouver Canucks should be jumping all over that, even if it’s just a short term deal in the 1-2 year range, as he would be a solid option for their 2C hole, which would allow Filip Chytil to slide down to the third line.

Previously on CanucksDaily

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Stanley Cup Champion Eyeing Big NHL Comeback, and It Could Be with the Vancouver Canucks

Should the Vancouver Canucks try to sign Evgeny Kuznetsov this summer?