Report: Pending UFA Michael McCarron to the Vancouver Canucks

Michael McCarron is apparently heading to Western Canada once free agency opens.

There's been multiple reports from several sources, including The Athletic stating the pending free-agent forward will be signing a multi-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks on July 1. The most recent linkage came from Thomas Drance, who had this to say about the connection:

The rebuilding Canucks should use July 1 to break the wage scale for players. How do you catch up to 31 other NHL teams, and out-accumulate them over a reasonable five-year time frame, after all, if the cap keeps increasing and very few teams feel much pressure to make difficult decisions on their good players? You become an inflationary force. Short-term, eye-popping money deals to players with safe resale value. McCarron, a 6-foot-6, tough-as-nails, right-handed center, is the perfect target. — Thomas Drance

The 31-year-old McCarron was making just $900,000 last season. He split time between the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild, finishing the year with eight goals and 17 points in a combined 79 games. He'd go on to add another two goals and four points in 11 playoff games with the Wild.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman had this to say on McCarron, a center with size that's going to be on everyone's wish list:

Elliotte Friedman: Re Wild: Everybody knows they have to find another center; I'm really curious to see if they keep Michael McCarron, 'cause I think someone's going to throw money at that guy - 32 Thoughts (5/15)

The Canucks are going to have some competition from several teams, including the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Don't be surprised to see the Canucks outbid all of these teams, unless the San Jose Sharks get involved, who have a boatload of cap space.

For now, McCarron's linked to the Canucks, as Vancouver is the clear cut favorite with less than six weeks until free agency opens.

Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images