Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Canucks Match Blues Offer for Bernier

The Canucks were forced to do the same thing they forced the St. Louis Blues to do only a week ago. The Blues got Steve Bernier to sign an offer sheet for 1-year at $2.5 million, but the Canucks matched the sheet in a big hurry and got their trade acquisition under contract right away.

Bernier is now officially a Canuck and will likely get a good shot to play with the Sedin twins or on a newly formed line, centered by either Ryan Kesler or Kyle Wellwood. It's an exciting time for the Canucks, who have signed the big 6'3" winger, who has the potential to be a 20-goal scorer in the league.

ForwardsDefenseGoaltenders
Henrik SedinSami SaloRoberto Luongo
Daniel SedinMattias OhlundCurtis Sanford
Ryan KeslerAlexander Edler
Taylor PyattWillie Mitchell
Steve BernierKevin Bieksa
Alexandre BurrowsLukas Krajicek
Mason Raymond
Kyle Wellwood
Ryan Johnson
Matt Pettinger

The addition of Bernier's deal to the equation, the Canucks now have 18 players signed on for next season at a cap hit of $40.8 million, just above the cap floor now. There is still $16.9 million left to fill five gaps with and they still have key restricted free agents to sign in Ryan Shannon and Rick Rypien, plus they likely have some of that space set aside for Mats Sundin.

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