It was arguably the biggest victory of Patrik Allvin’s tenure with the Vancouver Canucks.
Back in the summer of 2022, Allvin signed Russian free agent Andrei Kuzmenko from the KHL. The following season, he flashed chemistry with Elias Pettersson and exploded for 39 goals in 75 games.
While not all of Allvin’s European free agent signings have panned out (sorry, Filip Johansson), he’s found other serviceable players such as Nils Åman and goaltender Nikita Tolopilo.
If he retains his job as Canucks GM, can Allvin unearth some similar magic? Here are some options for the Canucks to consider.
1. Vitaly Pinchuk, C
2025-26 KHL Stats: 66 GP, 31 G, 35 A, 66 PTS
You could call him this year’s version of Andrei Kuzmenko.
Vitaly Pinchuk is the most highly regarded European free agent in this year’s crop. As recently as last month, The Athletic’s Thomas Drance reported that 29 NHL teams had shown interest in the 6-foot-4 centre.
Pinchuk formed one of the most dangerous lines in the KHL this season alongside Sam Anas and Alex Limoges. He’s not overly fast, nor is he very physical, considering his 200-pound frame. But Pinchuk can handle his own in front of the net, where he’s scored a good chunk of his KHL goals.
2. Nick Malik, G
2025-26 Czechia Stats: 41 GP, 25-14-0, 1.67 GAA, .929 SV%
There aren’t many father/son duos who both suited up for the Canucks. Could Vancouver complete one by signing Nick Malik?
The son of former Canucks defenceman Marek Malik has been outstanding in the Czech League over the last two seasons. That’s put him back on the radar of NHL teams right before his 24th birthday.
Byl to gól nebo ne? 🤯🔎
Nick Malík vytáhl opravdu Boží zákrok! 👏#ZaSvatymGralem | #zakrokyserie | #TELH | #SPAPLZ | @HC_Plzen pic.twitter.com/HGMTKsRRSY
— Tipsport extraliga (@telhcz) March 24, 2026
Vancouver could use some more goaltending depth in the pipeline, considering Thatcher Demko’s health, Arturs Silovs departure, and the fact that Abbotsford’s main starter this season, Jiri Patera, is a pending unrestricted free agent.
3. Daniil Gutik, LW
2025-26 KHL Stats: 65 GP, 20 G, 27 A, 47 PTS
There was a time when some scouts thought Danill Gutik would be a first-round pick.
Skating and character issues led to him not being drafted whatsoever back in 2019 or 2020, but his 6-foot-3 frame, combined with a high skill level, has always been apparent.
He’s taken a step forward as one of the KHL’s best young players over the last two years. Although his production this season dipped following a breakout 2024-25 campaign, Gutik did get back near point-per-game status after a midseason trade to Moscow Spartak (19 points in 21 games).
4. Yegor Vinogradov, C
2025-26 KHL Stats: 67 GP, 23 G, 31 A, 54 PTS
For teams that miss out on the Pinchuk sweepstakes, Yegor Vinogradov might be the consolation prize.
Both players are big-bodied centres with soft hands. While Pinchuk has the softer hands of the two, Vinogradov brings more of a physical edge.
Vinogradov is under contract in the KHL until next season, although that doesn’t fully preclude him from signing an NHL deal.
5. Hugo Fransson, LD
2025-26 SHL Stats: 52 GP, 11 G, 15 A, 26 PTS
If Hugo Fransson were born one year later, he’d still be eligible for the draft in 2026 as an overager.
The 21-year-old defenceman had a breakout season in the SHL, playing in a top-pairing role for HV71. Fransson’s 11 goals led all defencemen on his team and ranked third among all HV71 skaters.
Hugo Fransson prickskjuter in kvitteringen mot Skellefteå 🤩 pic.twitter.com/UFFY0qttFq
— SHL.se (@SHLse) December 4, 2025
He’s not a big defenceman at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds. However, he’s a smooth skater with some intriguing offensive instincts. At the very least, he’d be intriguing AHL depth if he’s willing to come over to North America.
6. Veit Oswald, LW
2025-26 DEL Stats: 38 GP, 12 G, 14 A, 26 PTS
Frank Seravalli reported recently that German winger Veit Oswald is drawing interest from NHL squads, with the Edmonton Oilers leading the way to sign him.
And while the presuming thought is that all German-born players might want a chance to play with Draisaitl, the Canucks can clearly give any of these free agents a better opportunity than most clubs.
Oswald, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound winger, finished his DEL season strong with 10 points in 10 games. He’s also drawn interest from the Toronto Maple Leafs before, attending their development camp back in 2024.
7. Theo Rochette, C/LW
2025-26 NL Stats: 46 GP, 22 G, 21 A, 43 PTS
Theo Rochette was always a productive junior scorer, but a lack of size undermined his NHL opportunity.
But the dual Swiss and Canadian citizen has done nothing but improve in the NL, and now may be his only time to earn a shot in the NHL.
Rochette led the entire NL last season with 11 goals in 19 playoff games, where his Lausanne HC team finished as runner-up in the finals. He’s elevated his game further in 2025-26, finishing top-10 in points and third league-wide in goals scored (tied with Markus Granlund). His NL coach has also called him a well-rounded player, and Rochette said he models his game after Pius Suter.
Much like Fransson, there would be value for the Canucks in adding him to the AHL lineup with an opportunity to push for NHL minutes if he’s successful in Abbotsford.