Report: No contact between Canucks and Kyle Burroughs as free agency nears

NHL free agency is just 15 days away, and the Canucks have reportedly not made any contact with pending unrestricted free agent defenceman Kyle Burroughs.

This, from the agent whisperer himself Rick Dhaliwal on Friday’s episode of Donnie and Dhali — The Team on CHEK TV. Here’s what Dhaliwal had to say:

“They are talking to Noah Juulsen, they started talks about a week ago,” Dhaliwal said. “Kyle Burroughs, no contact with this agent, the local kid from Langley, they’re ignoring the heck out of him. They have not talked to his agent Ross Gurney.”

Burroughs is coming off a two-year two-way deal with an annual NHL salary of $750,000. During that time, Burroughs appeared in 90 NHL games and exactly zero AHL games. It wouldn’t come as much of a surprise to know that Burroughs is looking for a one-way deal or a raise in pay come July 1st. That being said, the idea that there has been no contact between the two sides may seem a bit concerning to fans who came to grow fond of Burroughs’ game.

Burroughs earned a reputation as one of the Canucks’ more hard-nosed players, and never shied away from sticking up for his teammates by dropping the gloves when it was necessary. Burroughs never complained about his role as the Canucks’ 7th defenceman and was already ready when called upon.

On top of mentioning the Canucks are talking with UFA Noah Juulsen Dhaliwal also added that the Toronto Maple Leafs are not close on a contract with pending UFA defenceman Luke Schenn, who the Canucks traded to the Leafs ahead of the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline. The Canucks recouped a third round pick in return. Schenn has been open and honest about how Vancouver has a special place in his heart, and he certainly didn’t shoot down the idea of a potential reunion when he appeared on Donnie and Dhali last month. Schenn spends his summers in Kelowna, and reports have suggested that Schenn is looking for a deal with term and potentially some trade protection to prevent him from having to uproot his young family.

With news of Ethan Bear’s shoulder surgery and expected absence until mid-December, the Canucks find themselves even thinner on the right side of the blue line. Bear was slated to be Quinn Hughes’ partner on the first pair, and that spot now remains vacant. Schenn held down that spot admirably — can the Canucks reunite with Schenn for a third time on July 1st?

How do you feel about the idea of Kyle Burroughs not returning next season?