Article content

Jim Benning would love to have defenceman Nikita Tryamkin back on his roster.

The question for the Vancouver Canucks’ general manager is: how?

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Patrick Johnston: GM Benning hasn't ruled out possibility of Tryamkin rejoining Canucks Back to video

There’s likely to be one if not two open spots on the Canucks’ roster next summer. Oscar Fantenberg will be out of a contract and then there’s the Troy Stecher/Chris Tanev dilemma — it’s unlikely the Canucks will be able to retain both right-shot blue-liners.

The left-shooting Tryamkin can play both sides of the ice. One presumes that Fantenberg’s spot would be taken by Olli Juolevi, who is enjoying a solid season with the Utica Comets, even if observers believe he still needs to improve his gap control.

On the right side, there could be an opening either for Brogan Rafferty, who has a one-way deal next season — meaning that if the Canucks were to reassign him to the AHL next fall, he’d get paid the same as if he were in the NHL — or, were he to sign, Tryamkin.

As things stand, there appears to be strong interest from Tryamkin’s camp in returning to the NHL.