With the big deal wrapped up, in re-signing Filip Hronek, the Vancouver Canucks can move on more housekeeping-type transactions. Such is the case, today they announced that a depth piece Mark Friedman re-signs with the club.
Mark Friedman Re-Signs and Gets One Year
The Canucks acquired Friedman from the Pittsburgh Penguins early last season. They needed to improve their depth when Guillaume Brisebois was injured in training camp. General Manager Patrick Allvin went to the well they knew, getting Friedman from their former team in a four-player deal.
He was in the regular rotation for the first two months of 2023-24, remaining on the team as a seventh defenceman through most of the season. In 23 NHL games, he averaged 12:14 of ice time and scored one assist. Like his previous deal, this one is one-way with a cap hit of $775K.
That should be enough to keep him near the lineup, if not in it. If he does lose his place in Vancouver, he knows how to find his way back again. The 28-year-old played just four games in Abbotsford last season, scoring once with three assists. Should the big club decide to keep their young players in one spot for the full season, Friedman will be the early call-up.
What to Expect From Mark Friedman
Unless he suddenly catches fire, Friedman isn’t going to be a lynchpin of the Canucks defence. On the other hand, he knows how to handle himself at the NHL level for stretches. He’ll need to earn Head Coach Rick Tocchet‘s trust, though, if he wants to be a regular.
Friedman’s main competition is likely the already-signed Noah Juulen. He’s not as physical as Juulsen is, so even in a depleted lineup, it will be hard to find ice time. He has some flexibility as a right-handed shot who can play either side, but watch who else the team signs. For example, if Brisebois has made a full recovery, he’ll want his spot back, too.
