The Vancouver Canucks added depth to their defence and gave themselves some wage cap flexibility by buying and selling centre Jason Dickinson and a second-round draft pick to Chicago for defenceman Riley Stillman on Friday.
Stillman, 24, performed 52 video games with Chicago final season, recording a career-high 12 factors from two targets and 10 assists, plus 36 penalty minutes. The Peterborough, Ont., native additionally registered 67 blocked photographs, rating fifth on the staff.
“We see him as a third-pairing defenceman,” mentioned Canuck normal supervisor Patrick Allvin. “He’s a personality participant, onerous to play in opposition to and can assist us with our depth.”
“See him as a 3rd pairing defenceman, character man, onerous to play in opposition to.” <br><br>🗣️ G.M. Patrik Allvin speaks to the media following the acquisition of Riley Stillman from the Chicago Blackhawks <a href=”https://t.co/uR8KRtF88M”>pic.twitter.com/uR8KRtF88M</a>
—@Canucks
In 108 profession NHL common season video games break up between Chicago and Florida, Stillman has 18 factors (3-15) and 68 penalty minutes.
Stillman was initially chosen by the Florida Panthers in the fourth spherical, 114th total, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
The transfer will save the Canucks some cash. Dickinson was scheduled to earn $2.65 million US this 12 months and subsequent. Stillman’s contract is $1.35 million this 12 months and subsequent.
“It’s a part of the league,” mentioned Allvin. “You need to be sure you have flexibility transferring ahead. It was a part of it.
“We are completely satisfied to get Riley and Jason Dickinson is an efficient hockey participant. It’s clearly by no means a straightforward resolution however I feel in the top each golf equipment had been happier.”
Allvin mentioned the accidents have allowed gamers resembling Jack Rathbone and free-agent signing Christian Wolanin to indicate themselves in coaching camp.
“We’re actually completely satisfied to see the interior competitors that every one the nice groups want,” he mentioned. “In this case we really feel that now we have extra in that place and can give the teaching employees choices.”