Two intriguing defensive options for the Vancouver Canucks just hit the waiver wire

It’s no secret that the Canucks need to improve their defensive corps. The position group stands out as a blatant weak point in an otherwise very solid squad. If you just look at the Canucks’ forwards and goaltenders, you might think the team was destined for a deep playoff run. However, one look at the defenders suggests they may be playing more golf and less hockey in May and June.

Due to the team’s ugly salary cap situation, the Canucks are forced to get creative with overhauling their defense. With Travis Dermott and Tyler Myers already injured, the Canucks desperately need defensive help and they need it fast.

With roster cuts taking place across the league, there are many talented players that teams are trying to sneak through waivers. Making claims on one or more of these players is a great idea for the Canucks because of the low cost. You could snag a contributor — or at least some organizational depth — for free.

Two players in particular just hit the waiver wire and the Canucks should be very interested. Jonathan Kovacevic and Dimitri Samorukov are both defensive backs in their 20s who have yet to prove themselves at the NHL level but could help bolster the Canucks’ defense.

The first player the Canucks should be looking at is Jonathan Kovacevic, a 25-year-old defenseman who was just lifted by the Winnipeg Jets. As a right-handed defenseman, Kovacevic would be a valued asset with the Canucks and would have a direct path to NHL season.

Kovacevic is a tall human being, standing 6ft 4 inches tall and weighing north of 200 pounds. He uses this size to clear opponents off the net and play an intimidating role on defense. That being said, Kovacevic is far from a one-dimensional player, having managed to put up strong offensive numbers at every level, including 11 goals in the AHL last season.

As a taller defender, Kovacevic would bring the physical presence that the Canucks have lacked in recent years. The team has stressed that they want to be harder to play against, and adding 6’4″ giants to your blueline helps achieve that goal, although a big size isn’t worth much if you’re not with can keep up with the competition.

Kovacevic has played most of the past three seasons with the Manitoba Moose, an AHL team Canucks fans should be familiar with. In the past two seasons, Kovacevic managed to win the award as the team’s best defender.

He signed a three-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets last offseason at an AAV of $766,770. A fun fact is that in January of this year, Kovacevic played his first NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks. Could the team he made his NHL debut against be the one that keeps him from returning to the AHL?

While Samorukov isn’t right-handed, he could also be a valuable addition to the Canucks’ dressing room. The 23-year-old was just released by the Edmonton Oilers after scoring 18 points in 51 AHL games with the Bakersfield Condors last season.

Samorukov was also allowed to show up in his first NHL game, a December matchup against the St. Louis Blues, where the young Russian’s wife was flown out to watch the game. He made several costly errors, including one that resulted in a goal, and was benched for the entire game after just 2:28 of ice time. After that game, he was sent back to the AHL. It’s clear the Oilers likely have little faith in Samorukov left.

The Oilers may be making a big mistake, however, as Samorukov has shown he has the potential to be a very solid and versatile everyday NHLer. Far from short at 6ft 3in, he still moves well for his size, using the combination of his lanky build, intelligence and above-average skating ability to take down opponents.

It’s more common for Samorukov to split up an oncoming charge with a deft stick lift or a heads-up interception than with a thunderous body check. He enjoyed many successes at the lower levels, including a bronze medal at the 2019 World Junior Championships (which was held in Vancouver, for those who remember) and an OHL championship.

Samorukov could easily give the Canucks an intriguing deep back who still has the potential to develop. As for waivers, Samorukov is a solid pick to develop into a full-time NHLer and could make a difference in an area the Canucks desperately need.

We’ll find out tomorrow if the Canucks choose to head to the Waiver Wire for help with their backend.