Canucks to let two-time Stanley Cup champion Ian Cole walk in free agency
Vancouver Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal reported today that the Vancouver Canucks will not be re-signing veteran defenseman and two-time Stanley Cup champion Ian Cole.
Dhaliwal is a reputable NHL insider, particularly with regards to the Canucks, the team he covers on a regular basis. He clearly has connections within the organization, giving a lot of credibility to his comments today about Cole. He has reported that the Canucks did attempt to negotiate a contract extension, but ultimately those talks went nowhere.
@DhaliwalSports on Ian Cole heading to July 1st and his season with the #Canucks
Does that sound familiar at all? It should, because it is basically the exact same thing that has happened with fellow UFA defenseman Nikita Zadorov. The Canucks acquired Zadorov ahead of the trade deadline this year and he was very good for the team, especially in the playoffs. Dhaliwal reported earlier this week that contract negotiations with Zadorov have not succeeded in bringing back the big blueliner.
@DhaliwalSports on the latest he is hearing around Nikita Zadorov and the #Canucks
As such, both Cole and Zadorov figure to hit the open market. It is not clear where Zadorov will sign, but there will certainly be plenty of suitors. As for Cole, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun has linked him to the Boston Bruins.
6-foot-1, 225 pounds
2023-24: 2-9-11 in 78 games +10
Proposed by Pierre McGuire on his pod
Two Stanley Cups
#GetBent
Of course, this is just speculation. We will likely know where Zadorov will sign on July 1st when free agency officially opens.
Source: PuckReporter
Vancouver Canucks officially cut ties with two-time Stanley Cup champion
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Vancouver Canucks are better off letting Ian Cole walk in free agency? | ||
| Yes | 415 | 78.7 % |
| No | 112 | 21.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
