A severe wrist injury devastated Erik Gudbranson's 2017 regular season, limiting the rugged defenseman to only 30 games and 6 points, which was certainly going to take its toll on his hockey pool value. Nevertheless, the 201st ranked blueliner got a new deal, keeping him from becoming a restricted free agent on July 1st, signing a 1-year, $3.5 million deal.
It's no secret that the 25-year old features prominently in the short-term plans for the blueline in the 2018 season and the dollar value of this deal shows that. He will need a healthy 2018 season to earn himself a long-term deal, but this should provide him ample motivation to do so.
Gudbranson was a lock to be protected at the expansion draft, but having the deal done only pours the concrete on that fact and the Canucks should be pleased that they have a key piece of their roster already locked up for next season.
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