Confirmed Signing with Link: [VAN] F Daniel Sprong signs with the Canucks (1 year, $975k)

[JianYang]

I suspect the demand wasn't very high for him given that it is a "late" summer signing and the number isn't very high.

 

[Tatar Shots]

He was on Detroit’s 4th line pretty much all of last year before being benched due to his atrocious defensive play. I’m not surprised he did not get more interest than this.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

Love this move. Goal scoring was an issue so great to add depth in this area. And very cheaply too.

Alot better to turn to a guy like Sprong when a few guys are out as opposed to a Lafferty or Karlsson like we saw in the playoffs.

 

[MMC]

People are amazed Sprong signed this cheap? Dude is ass and front offices are well aware of this

 

[TruGr1t]

This is insane value based on even strength production per 60.

 

[Canucks LB]

People are amazed Sprong signed this cheap? Dude is ass and front offices are well aware of this

Maybe defensively, his offensive stats are extremely solid

 

[Old Boys Club]

tocchet will bench him like kuzmenko

 

[Baby Pettersson]

People are amazed Sprong signed this cheap? Dude is ass and front offices are well aware of this

At this cap hit who cares? Find me a better UFA (12F) at under a mill contract.

Value is mint and that's all that matters.

 

[MMC]

At this cap hit who cares? Find me a better UFA (12F) at under a mill contract.

Value is mint and that's all that matters.

I didn’t say it was a bad contract, just that it’s not surprising that this was his market

 

[Bgav]

Good value for that amount, really weird player tho.

He plays like a Kovalchuk cosplayer.

I am intrigued

 

[MMC]

Maybe defensively, his offensive stats are extremely solid

The box score stats are literally the only thing he provides, there’s a reason every coach stops wanting to play him despite the production

 

[Canucks LB]

The box score stats are literally the only thing he provides, there’s a reason every coach stops wanting to play him despite the production

Rick turned myers into a good defensive player, I think this is his forward project

 

[TruGr1t]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1814744399210786933

 

[PensandCaps]

per 60 of 3.1 and 2.4 the past two seasons, i get hes a ghost defensively, but ill take that scoring efficiency any day over someone like Beauvillier

 

[MMC]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1814744399210786933

Always funny when an advanced stat dude is surprised that a player doesn’t get more usage when anyone who watches the player play with their eyes open can easily see why

 

[TruGr1t]

Always funny when an advanced stat dude is surprised that a player doesn’t get more usage when anyone who watches the player play with their eyes open can easily see why

He said he’s the “Phil Kessel of 4th liners” so obviously he knows why.

 

[JediOrderPizza]

I am intrigued

Yeah will randomly bust out a snipe, jersey tuck and #17 lol. Well he was 88 until Kane of course.

DET@MTL: Sprong scores goal against Jake Allen | Detroit Red Wings

DET@MTL: Sprong scores goal against Jake Allen

www.nhl.com

 

[Maurice of Orange]

Not sure about line combos but adding Sprong with no subtractions puts them at like 16 NHL caliber forwards of varying degrees

Petey
Miller
Boeser
DeBrusk
Hoglander
Garland
Joshua
Bleuger
Heinen
Sherwood
Suter
Podkolzin
PDG
Aman
Sprong
Karlsson

Obviously some of these guys will be in the AHL anyway but still

Di Giuseppe, Amen and Karlsson could all end up on waivers if every forward is healthy before the beginning of the regular season.

Podkolzin is also no longer waiver exempt and needs to earn a full time roster spot, could he make it or break it time for Podkolzin.

 

[VanillaCoke]

If there's ever a best case situation for Sprong to put it together and succeed, this is it.

I'd bet he does very well in van and gets a 2/3 yr sherwood/Blueger esque extension.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

I know he has defensive issues but how does a guy with back to back 40s pts season didn’t even get 1m

Chef Allvin strikes again

Play him with Suter or EP if you want to cover his weakness

 

[PensandCaps]

Sprong doesn't get more ice time because NHL coaches are stupid, theyd rather play a flawed offensive player than a flawed defensive one. Especially when in this case, the offense is obviously well well worth the shortcomings on the other side of the puck. NHL coaches not understanding value, nothing new.


No idea why a player who provides nothing offensively is viewed as playable by coaches, but not the other way around.

 

[CanadienShark]

I don’t think we can get him under 1 million maybe 1.5m?

You should be pleased with this.

 

[Regal]

tocchet will bench him like kuzmenko

Kuzmenko was only benched a handful of games and still averaged over 16 min of ice. I imagine Sprong’s minutes will be limited and he’ll be scratched in games they want more defensive presence but I think he will still get a shot to contribute some offense.

 

[Warh1ppy]

At first I though why?

Then I realized low cost depth doesn't hurt.

Then i remembered almost every FA deal signed by the Canucks this off season are incredibly low AAV short term deals that can result in easy trades in the season to recoup picks/assets for the future.

The ONLY questions I have are now regarding Podkolzin and Hoglander as they both seem to be on the outside looking in after this free agency period.

 

[crowi]

Rick turned myers into a good defensive player, I think this is his forward project

You should check the YouTube video linked in post #28, if you haven't paid much attention to Sprong before.

For $975K it's good depth pick up nonetheless, so congrats to Canucks.