Lucic linked to Flames' rival in rumor mill

According to multiple online reports, the Calgary Flames will NOT offer a contract extension to veteran forward Milan Lucic, making him an unrestricted free agent for the first time since 2016.

Interestingly enough, Vancouver Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal reports that the Flames have told Lucic that he's free to meet with other teams prior to the opening of free agency on July 1st.

Lucic is a Vancouver native and has close ties to the city where he hoisted the Stanley Cup back in 2011 and Dhaliwal reports that the Canucks have expressed some interesting in the local boy.

The Canucks, of course, just freed up $6 million in salary by buying out Oliver Ekman-Larsson's contract and are reportedly eyeing the free agent market to fill some gaps in their lineup. I'm not certain how Lucic fits in, but I honestly think he'd be a fine addition on a low cost, short term deal. 

Thoughts, Canucks fans?

Frankly, Lucic isn't the player he was even just a few seasons ago. He rarely drops the gloves these days and his offensive touch has all but left him. Never fleet of foot, he has lost a step in the past couple seasons and now struggles to keep up even at a 4th line level. If, however, he can rejuvenate his career he could add some 4th line physicality and some intimidation to a Canucks team that has been tossed around in the Pacific Division. Superstar in the making Elias Pettersson has become a target in the eyes of the Canucks' opponents and has been tossed around at times. Adding a tough guy like Lucic to the lineup could do wonders for the team's identity, if nothing else.

Of course, it all comes down to dollars and cents. If Lucic isn't willing to take close to league minimum on a one or two year deal then I don't see the Canucks, or frankly many other NHL teams, showing much interest in his services. Personally though, I think the NHL is a much better place with enforcers like Lucic in the league, so I'm pulling for him to strike a deal somewhere in the league for 2023-24.