It looks like Ian Cole will not be returning to the Vancouver Canucks next season.
The veteran defenceman is expected to test free agency on July 1 per CHEK‘s Rick Dhaliwal.
Looks like defenseman Ian Cole will hit the free agent market on July 1st.
More on Donnie and Dhali at 10am
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) June 5, 2024
Cole signed a one-year deal with the Canucks last summer worth $3 million. The 35-year-old had two goals and nine assists in 78 games played and finished as a +10.
The veteran was a big boost for the team’s penalty kill and helped the unit improve from historically bad to near league average. He played the most short-handed minutes on the team this season.
Cole was on the wrong end of some glaring mistakes in the playoffs, including an own-goal in overtime against the Edmonton Oilers. He finished sixth among team defencemen in average playoff ice-time, down from the fourth spot he held during the regular season.
It was revealed after the season that Cole was injured during the playoffs, something that likely contributed to his dip in play.
The defenceman has played for five teams in the past five seasons so he’s used to being a free agent. With 826 career games played and two Stanley Cup rings, he’ll be an enticing option for a team looking to add experience to their dressing room.
The Canucks will need to replace Cole who did play a regular role this season. The team has just three NHL blueliners — Quinn Hughes, Carson Soucy, and Noah Juulsen — signed for next season with Filip Hronek also under team control as a restricted free agent.
Despite being left-handed, Cole often played the right-side for the Canucks. Finding another D-man with the versatility to play either side would be a huge benefit for the organization.