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NHL Rumors: Top insider reports Vancouver Canucks interested in Red Wings’ Daniel Sprong
The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly interested in forward Daniel Sprong, insider Rick Dhaliwal states. Sprong played last season with the Detroit Red Wings after signing a one-year deal worth $2 million. The 26-year-old did not receive an offer from the Wings, leaving him as a UFA.
According to Dhaliwal, the Canucks are looking to add Sprong, presumably to their bottom six. The Canucks boast a strong top six with players like Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, JT Miller and newly-acquired Jake Debrusk.
However, the bottom six seems somewhat thin. As such, a player like Sprong can play a key role in the Canucks’ third or fourth line. Moreover, chances are he could sign with the Canucks on a league-minimum deal.
The Pittsburgh Penguins originally drafted Daniel Sprong in the second round of the 2015 NHL draft. He spent three seasons with the Penguins. However, he didn’t see much action, playing a total of 52 games over three seasons.
Since then, Sprong has bounced around a bit, playing with the Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals, Seattle Kraken and Detroit Red Wings.
His last two campaigns have been productive. In 2022-23, he netted 46 points in 66 games with the Kraken. Last season, he scored 18 goals and 43 points with the Red Wings. However, the Red Wings passed on Sprong due to Cap considerations.
Daniel Sprong worth signing?
A recent piece in The Hockey News suggested that Sprong’s apparent weakness on defense is what prompted the Red Wings to forego signing him to a new deal. Despite his offensive contributions, Sprong is apparently seen as a defensive liability, leading teams to pass on him.
However, The Hockey News speculates that Sprong could be a solid addition to a strong defensive team like the Winnipeg Jets. Moreover, the Jets reportedly have around $5 million in cap space to spare, per PuckPedia. That situation could make Winnipeg a landing spot for the Dutch forward.
However, when considering Vancouver’s interest, Sprong is worth the risk, keeping in mind the lack of scoring depth the Canucks have beyond their top six. A player like the Dutchman, who could chip in 40 to 50 points, could well be worth it, as per the needs of the team.
There’s one catch though: The Canucks have about $166K in available cap space. That would mean shipping someone out in order to make room for Daniel Sprong. Perhaps, it’s the cap situation that’s delayed Sprong’s signing in Vancouver.
As such, the Canucks would need to assess if Sprong is worth the trouble of clearing cap room to keep him. Then again, depth is one of the most valuable commodities in today’s NHL. Therefore, the Canucks could make an effort to bring him in.
Otherwise, a team like the Jets, Devils, or Stars may take a chance on Daniel Sprong as they look to compete in their respective divisions.
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