It was arguably the biggest victory of Patrik Allvin\u2019s tenure with the Vancouver Canucks.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
While not all of Allvin\u2019s European free agent signings have panned out (sorry, Filip Johansson), he\u2019s found other serviceable players such as Nils \u00c5man and goaltender Nikita Tolopilo.<\/p>\n
If he retains his job as Canucks GM<\/a>, can Allvin unearth some similar magic? Here are some options for the Canucks to consider.<\/p>\n 1. Vitaly Pinchuk, C<\/p>\n 2025-26 KHL Stats: 66 GP, 31 G, 35 A, 66 PTS<\/p>\n You could call him this year\u2019s version of Andrei Kuzmenko.<\/p>\n Vitaly Pinchuk is the most highly regarded European free agent in this year\u2019s crop. As recently as last month, The Athletic\u2019s Thomas Drance reported that 29 NHL teams had shown interest in the 6-foot-4 centre.<\/p>\n Pinchuk formed one of the most dangerous lines in the KHL this season alongside Sam Anas and Alex Limoges. He\u2019s 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\u2019s scored a good chunk of his KHL goals.<\/p>\n 2. Nick Malik, G<\/p>\n 2025-26 Czechia Stats: 41 GP, 25-14-0, 1.67 GAA, .929 SV%<\/p>\n There aren\u2019t many father\/son duos who both suited up for the Canucks. Could Vancouver complete one by signing Nick Malik?<\/p>\n The son of former Canucks defenceman Marek Malik<\/a> has been outstanding in the Czech League over the last two seasons. That\u2019s put him back on the radar of NHL teams right before his 24th birthday.<\/p>\n Byl to g\u00f3l nebo ne? \ud83e\udd2f\ud83d\udd0e<\/p>\n Nick Mal\u00edk vyt\u00e1hl opravdu Bo\u017e\u00ed z\u00e1krok! \ud83d\udc4f#ZaSvatymGralem<\/a> | #zakrokyserie<\/a> | #TELH<\/a> | #SPAPLZ<\/a> | @HC_Plzen<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/HGMTKsRRSY<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tipsport extraliga (@telhcz) March 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Vancouver could use some more goaltending depth in the pipeline, considering Thatcher Demko\u2019s health, Arturs Silovs departure, and the fact that Abbotsford\u2019s main starter this season, Jiri Patera, is a pending unrestricted free agent.<\/p>\n 3. Daniil Gutik, LW<\/p>\n 2025-26 KHL Stats: 65 GP, 20 G, 27 A, 47 PTS<\/p>\n There was a time when some scouts thought Danill Gutik would be a first-round pick.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He\u2019s taken a step forward as one of the KHL\u2019s 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).<\/p>\n 4. Yegor Vinogradov, C<\/p>\n 2025-26 KHL Stats: 67 GP, 23 G, 31 A, 54 PTS<\/p>\n For teams that miss out on the Pinchuk sweepstakes, Yegor Vinogradov might be the consolation prize.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Vinogradov is under contract in the KHL until next season, although that doesn\u2019t fully preclude him from signing an NHL deal.<\/p>\n 5. Hugo Fransson, LD<\/p>\n 2025-26 SHL Stats: 52 GP, 11 G, 15 A, 26 PTS<\/p>\n If Hugo Fransson were born one year later, he\u2019d still be eligible for the draft in 2026 as an overager.<\/p>\n The 21-year-old defenceman had a breakout season in the SHL, playing in a top-pairing role for HV71. Fransson\u2019s 11 goals led all defencemen on his team and ranked third among all HV71 skaters.<\/p>\n Hugo Fransson prickskjuter in kvitteringen mot Skellefte\u00e5 \ud83e\udd29 pic.twitter.com\/UFFY0qttFq<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SHL.se (@SHLse) December 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n He\u2019s not a big defenceman at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds. However, he\u2019s a smooth skater with some intriguing offensive instincts. At the very least, he\u2019d be intriguing AHL depth if he\u2019s willing to come over to North America.<\/p>\n 6. Veit Oswald, LW<\/p>\n 2025-26 DEL Stats: 38 GP, 12 G, 14 A, 26 PTS<\/p>\n Frank Seravalli reported recently that German winger Veit Oswald is drawing interest from NHL squads,<\/a> with the Edmonton Oilers leading the way to sign him.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Oswald, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound winger, finished his DEL season strong with 10 points in 10 games. He\u2019s also drawn interest from the Toronto Maple Leafs before, attending their development camp back in 2024.<\/p>\n 7. Theo Rochette, C\/LW<\/p>\n 2025-26 NL Stats: 46 GP, 22 G, 21 A, 43 PTS<\/p>\n Theo Rochette was always a productive junior scorer, but a lack of size undermined his NHL opportunity.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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<\/a> after Pius Suter.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s successful in Abbotsford.<\/p>\n