Torres, Higgins in postive talks with Canucks

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1 Torres, Higgins in postive talks with Canucks By Jim Jamieson, The Province June 29, 2011 The agents for Canucks forwards Raffi Torres and Chris Higgins confirmed on Wednesday they've had preliminary discussions with the Canucks regarding their clients, but said it's still too early to know if the two will go into unrestricted free agency on Friday. We've had preliminary discussions with Vancouver and they've been positive, said Torres' agent, Eustace King. At the end of the day, Raffi enjoyed his time in Vancouver. They run a first-class organization. It's too premature now to begin to discuss anything beyond that. Torres, 29, was paid $1 million last season after signing last summer as a UFA. He collected in 80 regular-season games. In the playoffs he had in 23 playoff games and was a big part of the Canucks' very effective third line. But Torres' season had some controversy, as he was assessed a four-game suspension near the end of the regular season for his hit on Edmonton's Jordan Eberle. The hit cost him the last two games of the regular season and the first two of the playoffs. In his first game of the playoffs, he hit Chicago defenceman Brent Seabrook behind the Hawks' goal, putting the D-man out with a concussion. He was given a minor for the hit, but the Hawks used it as a rallying point, coming from an 0-3 deficit to force a Game 7. Higgins' agent, Matt Keator, has also spoken with the Canucks, also briefly. We've had some preliminary discussions and we'll see where it goes, said Keator, adding that a deal wasn't close. Asked if he was optimistic about a deal, Keator said: I hope so. He loves Vancouver. he was treated very well there. Higgins came to Vancouver at the NHL trade deadline as a depth player who started on the fourth line. But he showed a lot of versatility and moved up to the third line and eventually the second with Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond. He also had some time on both special teams. Higgins, who is about to finish a contract that pays him $1.6 million annually, had in 14 regular-season games after coming to Vancouver. In the playoffs, he had a franchise record three winning goals and had overall. Alberts' signing fills another hole Canucks look like they may not be going outside to replace Ehrhoff

2 By Jim Jamieson, The Province June 30, 2011 The Canucks continued to fill in the gaps on their defensive corps on Wednesday, signing defenceman Andrew Alberts to a two-year deal that is worth an average of $1.225 million per season. With Alberts signed, that gives the Canucks seven NHL defencemen under contract -given that highly regarded rookie Chris Tanev is included in the group next season -and it's believed a deal with veteran Sami Salo is close. The strong implication here is that the Canucks may not go outside the organization to replace the departed Christian Ehrhoff when the free agency window opens on July 1. While Ehrhoff's offensive skills are hard to replace, Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman said he believes the incumbents have the ability to address that loss by committee. "Without a doubt, we had a tremendous amount of depth on our defence last year and we anticipate we're going to have very strong depth again this year," said Gilman during a conference call to formally announce the re-signing of Alberts and centre Max Lapierre. "We do expect that some members of our group are going to step up and take on bigger roles. Whether that means Andrew Alberts or Chris Tanev or Keith Ballard or Aaron Rome, we anticipate we're going to move forward and our defence is going to be competitive again." The numbers suggest the Canucks won't venture into the UFA pool for a significant defenceman but Gilman wouldn't be pinned down on that front. "There's a tremendous amount of time between now and the day our season starts in October," he said. "There are going to be a number of changes that occur, some that are planned, some that are not. We don't know who's going to be healthy come the fall, players get injured and there are trades that present themselves. A lot can shake out between now and the fall." Gilman wouldn't directly address Salo's negotiations, but clearly the team would like to have him back for a ninth season with the team. "Sami's obviously been a big part of this organization," said Gilman. "From our perspective it would be great if we could find an opportunity to bring him back. It's something that will sort itself out." For Alberts, it represents a modest raise from his expiring deal, which had a cap hit of $1.05 million. The Canucks now have $ million committed for seven D-men, with Salo -who'll be 37 next season -expected to sign for less than the $3.5 million he made on his expiring deal. Vancouver paid about $24 million to its top eight defencemen last season, so not signing Ehrhoff could free up some money to go after a free agent top-six forward.

3 Alberts, who turns 30 on Thursday, had a much improved season after struggling when he joined the Canucks at the 2010 trade deadline. He typically played on the third defence pairing, had a few healthy scratches, killed penalties and used his 6-foot-5 frame to dish out big hits when he got the chance. He played in 42 games, but missed long stretches with a shoulder injury and a broken wrist. He also played in the final six games of the Stanley Cup final when injuries hit the Canucks blueline. "It's a big relief," said Alberts in a conference call. "I get to go back to the city I love, a team I like playing for, great coaches and a great organization. We had a great run this year and next year I'd like to make it that much better. I'm excited to be back." - The agents for Canucks' pending UFA forwards Raffi Torres and Chris Higgins confirmed on Wednesday they've had preliminary discussions with the Canucks regarding their clients, but said it's still too early to know if the two will go into unrestricted free agency starting on Friday. jjamieson@theprovince.com CANUCKS BLUELINE PAY Cap hit on defence Kevin Bieksa $4.6 million Dan Hamhuis $4.5 million Keith Ballard $4.2 million Alex Edler $3.25 million Andrew Alberts$1.225 million Chris Tanev $900,00 Aaron Rome $750,000 Total $ million (seven players) Toned-down Lapierre rewarded with a twoyear deal

4 By Jim Jamieson, The Province June 30, 2011 Max Lapierre's on-ice antics have got him in trouble previously in his career, but the Canucks were happy enough with the centre's play after obtaining him at the trade deadline last season that they rewarded the Montreal native with a two-year contract. Lapierre toned down the chirping when he joined the Canucks -thanks to a frank sit-down with head coach Alain Vigneault -and had a great run in the playoffs, but sticking his gloved finger in Patrice Bergeron's face mockingly in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final wasn't the greatest idea. Still, the Canucks were happy to lock up Lapierre, who filled in terrifically for the injured Manny Malhotra on the third line. Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman said the club appreciates the package that Lapierre brings. "Max is an exemplary teammate," said Gilman. "We like the feistiness that he brought on the ice. He brought a dimension to our team that I think was needed. "To complement that he was a terrific person in the room and always upbeat. He was very coachable. Lots of players come to you with things said about them. The fact we went to Max with a two-year commitment means we were obviously pleased with his performance on the ice as well as his character. We're excited he's going to be here for the next two years." Lapierre said he appreciated the Canucks giving him a chance after he was traded twice in two months -by the Montreal Canadiens and then the Anaheim Ducks. "Everybody's got a role," he said. "When I came to Vancouver I had a good meeting with the coach and I think I improved a lot that way. At the end of the day I'm playing for my teammates and the organization and I don't really care what people say." Lapierre, a restricted free agent, got a raise from $900,000 to $1 million per season in the twoyear deal. "It's great to have the security," he said. "I had a great experience with the Canucks. It's a great team and we know we came close to wining the Cup and now we're focusing on trying to win it next year. We think we've got the team and we can do it." Defenceman Alberts signs two-year, $2.45- million deal Blue-liner forgoes chance to test free agency By Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun June 30, 2011

5 Depth defenceman Andrew Alberts never considered putting himself on the NHL's open market. Nope. Not for him. Despite being booed when he first arrived in Vancouver, and being benched at other times, he claimed the Canucks were first on his list of hockey destinations. So when the team offered him a two-year contract, he happily took it. It's worth $1.225 million per season, an increase on the $1.05 million he earned in "I didn't even think about July 1," Alberts said Wednesday after his deal was announced. "I've been here for a year and a half and it's been, by far, the best team I've been on, the best organization, the best coaches I've had thus far, teammates and everything. I always wanted to come back to Vancouver." Alberts stood to become unrestricted on Friday, free to shop his services around the league, free to maybe find a place where he was a guaranteed top-six blue-liner, not one who was in and out of coach Alain Vigneault's lineup. "I'm glad the Canucks wanted to get a deal done and I'm glad it worked out the way it did," said the Minnesota native, who turns 30 today. (Happy birthday, Andrew!) "I'm excited to be back. As for playing time, that's up to the coaches and the GM and whatnot. I just want to work as hard as I can and get as much ice time as I can." The Alberts signing brings to seven the number of defencemen the Canucks now have under contract. He joins Kevin Bieksa, Dan Hamhuis, Alex Edler, Keith Ballard, Aaron Rome and Chris Tanev. Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman noted that the team was pleased with Alberts once he went through a socalled "period of adjustment" following his acquisition from Carolina. He came at the March 3, 2010 trade deadline. "Andrew is big and he's strong, he has a long reach and he can kill penalties," Gilman said. "When you look historically at the injuries on the blueline that are sustained by this club year after year after year, we just really felt you can't have enough guys who can play in the National Hockey League -and Andrew fits that bill." The Canucks also formally announced Wednesday the signing of abrasive centre Maxim Lapierre to the two-year, $2-million deal leaked Monday. "I had a great experience with the Canucks and they gave me a real second chance," said Lapierre, who also played for the Canadiens and Ducks last season. "I'm really, really happy to be back. This is a great team, a great organization and we came close to winning the Stanley Cup last year. Now we're focusing to try and win it next year. We know we have the team and we can do it."

6 Sabres pick up Ehrhoff from Islanders BY JOHN WAWROW The Vancouver Sun From page C8 BUFFALO, N. Y. Defenceman Christian Ehrhoff has a big surprise waiting for him when he wakes up at his home in Germany. Ehrhoff will learn he s with his third team in two days after the Buffalo Sabres acquired the free agent-to-be s rights Wednesday. He s fast asleep. He doesn t know, Ehrhoff s agent, Richard Curran said. And that leaves Ehrhoff and the Sabres about 36 hours to negotiate a deal before the NHL s free agency period opens Friday. In the latest bold move made under new owner Terry Pegula, the Sabres acquired the rights to the veteran blue-liner from the New York Islanders for a fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft. The move was made a day after the Isles gave up a fourthround pick to acquire Ehrhoff s rights from Vancouver. While the Islanders were unable to entice Ehrhoff with a contract, the Sabres are gambling they can get a deal done with Pegula now in control. Since purchasing the Sabres in February, the Pennsylvania billionaire has made it no secret he is intent on opening his deep wallet and ready to spend to the newly established $ 64.3 million salary cap to build a winner. SLANDERS TRADE EHRHOFF'S RIGHTS TO SABRES FOR 4TH-ROUND PICK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Defenceman Christian Ehrhoff has a big surprise waiting for him when he wakes up at his home in Germany. Ehrhoff will learn he's with his third team in two days after the Buffalo Sabres acquired the free agent-to-be's rights Wednesday. "He's fast asleep. He doesn't know," Ehrhoff's agent, Richard Curran, told The Associated Press. And that leaves Ehrhoff and the Sabres about 36 hours to negotiate a deal before the NHL's free agency period opens Friday afternoon. In the latest bold move made under new owner Terry Pegula, the Sabres acquired the rights to the veteran defenceman from the New York Islanders for a fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft. The move was made a day after the Islanders gave up a fourth-round pick to acquire Ehrhoff's rights from Vancouver. While the Islanders were unable to entice Ehrhoff with a contract, the Sabres are gambling they can get a deal done with Pegula now in control. Since purchasing the Sabres in February, the Pennsylvania billionaire has made it no secret he is intent on opening his deep pocketbook -- and ready to spend to the newly established US$64.3 million salary cap -- to build a winner. The Sabres announced the trade, but otherwise declined comment.

7 Later Wednesday, the Sabres traded negotiating rights to defenceman Steve Montador to the Chicago Blackhawks for a seventh-round pick in 2012 or Curran said it's too early determine what Ehrhoff's reaction will be to the deal. Curran was left impressed. The agent said he's very familiar with Pegula and encouraged by the Sabres' aggressive approach. "You have to be encouraged," Curran said. "But it's still up to management to present itself to Christian. Ultimately, it's not my decision. It's Christian who will have to make the final decision." Curran said he's informed the Sabres that he will first have a discussion with his client on Thursday morning. After that, the Sabres will have an opportunity to speak to Ehrhoff to make their case. Ehrhoff, a seven-year NHL veteran, had 14 goals, 36 assists and a plus-19 rating in 79 games for Vancouver last season. He had two goals and 10 assists in the Canucks' run to the Stanley Cup finals, but was a minus-13. Overall, the 28-year-old has 53 goals, 173 assists and 338 penalty minutes in 500 regular-season games with San Jose and Vancouver. He has seven goals and 27 assists in 73 playoff games. Ehrhoff became eligible for free agency after completing his contract, which paid him about $3.4 million last season. The Sabres were preparing to enter free agency with an eye on landing both a defenceman and forward to improve a Ryan Miller-led team that's been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. On Monday, Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said he has the green light to spend to the cap, while acknowledging this year's free agent crop of elite players is small as compared to previous summers. The Sabres already began adding to their lineup at the NHL draft last weekend, when they swung a deal to acquire veteran defenceman Robyn Regehr and forward Ales Kotalik in a trade with Calgary. Earlier Wednesday, Pegula emphasized his desire to improve his team. "I think we're going to be reasonably aggressive. We'll be right in there with, I think, most other teams," Pegula said following a news conference in which he was introduced as the new owner of the American Hockey League's Rochester Americans. Pegula even hinted that the Sabres have been well prepared for the start of free agency.

8 "Well, free agency started a long time ago for us," Pegula said. "We've been working real hard. Obviously, I can't come up with any names of players. But we're going to do our best." Montador had five goals, 21 assists and 83 penalty minutes in 73 games last season for Buffalo. He has 28 goals, 89 assists and 762 penalty minutes in 519 games with Calgary, Florida, Anaheim, Boston and Buffalo Lapierre gets new deal THE CANADIAN PRESS VANCOUVER -- Journeyman centre Maxim Lapierre Lapierre and depth defenceman Andrew Alberts finally have some job security after helping the Vancouver Canucks reach the Stanley Cup final. Both Lapierre and Alberts signed new deals with the Canucks on Wednesday, taking them off the market before the NHL free-agency period begins Friday. Lapierre, who was slated to become a restricted free agent, signed a US$2-million, two-year deal while Alberts, who would have been an unrestricted free agent, signed a $2.45-million, two-year contract. Lapierre, a 26-year-old Saint Leonard, Que., native, received some job security after playing for three teams in "I had a great experience with the Canucks, they gave me a second chance -- a real second chance -- and I'm really happy to be back in a great organization," Lapierre said on a conference call. He began last season with the Montreal Canadiens but was shipped to Anaheim in December before joining the Canucks at the trade deadline. The knock against Lapierre was that he engaged in too much trash-talking, and even his former teammates could not stand the constant yapping. "When I came to Vancouver, I had a good meeting with the coaches and they told me what they wanted (me) to do," Lapierre said. "I think I improved a lot that way." Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gilman said Lapierre was originally acquired as a fourth-liner, but played an important third-line centre role after Manny Malhotra went down with a career-threatening eye injury in mid-march. The new deal was a reward for Lapierre's on-ice performance "as well as his character." "We liked the feistiness that he brought on the ice," Gilman said. "He brought a dimension to our team that, I think, was needed." He said Lapierre further strengthens the Canucks at centre, adding to depth provided by Henrik Sedin, Ryan Kesler and Malhotra.

9 Lapierre recorded six goals, six assists and 80 penalty minutes in 78 regular-season games and added five points and 66 penalty minutes in 25 playoff appearances. He scored the winning goal in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final before the Canucks lost the seventh game to Boston. He ranked second in NHL post-season hits with 83. Gilman said Lapierre's strong playoff showing helped him land a new contract after the club took a wait-and-see approach upon his arrival. "One of the things that made Max attractive to us was that he was a player on an expiring contract," Gilman said. "What also made him attractive was the fact that, if we wanted to, we could qualify him and retain his rights for another year. In looking at the totality of the circumstances, we determined that we wanted to have Max and have him for at least two more years." Alberts received a show of support from a team deep in defencemen. "It's a big relief," Alberts said. "I get to go back to a city I love, a team that I like playing for, a great a coach and a great organization. We had a great run this year and next year we'd like to make it much better by taking the next step." Alberts, 29, had seven points (1-6) and 41 penalty minutes in 42 games in a season limited by injuries. The six-foot-five, 209-pound Minneapolis native led all Vancouver blue-liners with 113 hits. He bypassed a chance to shop his services on the open NHL market. "I didn't even think about going to July 1," he said. "I'm glad the Canucks wanted to get a deal done and I'm glad it worked out the way it did. I'm excited to be back." Alberts had previously been the subject of ongoing trade rumours since the Canucks acquired him at the trade deadline in the season. Gilman said Alberts survived a period of adjustment and the club never gave any thought to letting him go after he was one of 13 defencemen to suit up in "I think that Andrew, after we got him at the prior trade deadline, played very well for us this year," Gilman said. Insults spill behind Ehrhoff's back By Tony Gallagher, The Province June 30, 2011 Suddenly, somehow, Christian Ehrhoff is a nobody who never was any good. What is it with NHL cities that when a player leaves town for a better offer -which is his right as an unrestricted free agent it took him at least seven years to achieve as a pro -that all of a sudden

10 his shortcomings are magnified beyond measure and he is somehow a money-grubbing mercenary that never cared about the Canucks? And yet an even better question is why don't more players do what Ehrhoff is doing? Is it for those very reasons outlined above? Or is it that these guys are loyal almost to the point of stupidity? And here, please do not reference Kevin Bieksa. At least he brought a fair bit of pressure to bear before signing, and he's always professed loyalty to the team, city and teammates and that's not to be minimized. But the whole reason Ehrhoff and players like him can command such a high wage on July 1 (or sooner if the Sabres can move his rights) and a team absolutely come out of its boots to bury him in cash he can't turn down, is because there are so few players that actually get to this point. Look at this year's crop of defencemen. After Ehrhoff, who may well be wired into Detroit, the pickings fall all the way down to James Wisniewski, and that assumes he's not going to sign before becoming free. It's absolutely amazing how many players choose security over playing out their contracts and getting themselves free, which is the advice Mike Gillis used to give his clients when he was an agent, with perhaps Michael Cammalleri, Markus Naslund, Michael Nylander and of course Bobby Holik the best examples of those who cashed in at the highest levels. Unless a player is very unfortunate indeed and suffers a fairly rare career-ending injury, he is almost always going to make more money the earlier he can get himself free and allow the bidding process for the chronic shortage of talent the league always encounters at this time to run it's course. And it's even more pronounced this summer because of the Canadian dollar's strength resulting in the movement of the salary cap to the lofty levels it has reached. It's so high now even the cheapo teams like Florida are forced to start throwing around the cash to reach the floor. And it's not as if you have to play in Siberia to get a decent deal either. Somebody is going to get that job in Detroit, which seems pretty reasonable. Chicago and New York appear like they're going to do something, and maybe Philadelphia. Vancouver needs a quality forward. It doesn't have to be Long Island or Winnipeg or some other allegedly undesirable location where you have to play. The Sedins were essentially hamstrung somewhat that way because there were two of them and the number of teams with $13 million plus cap space were few and far between when they were free in It was one or two less than desirable locations or bust. This year, the salaries paid could get goofy and the destinations could be quite varied. It's always high, but this summer could actually cause you to laugh out loud. Yet despite the fact many of the better agents might well have predicted this perfect storm brewing for a while now, very few of the quality players got themselves into the line of fire.

11 Why, for instance, wouldn't Andrew Alberts have waited to see what might have been out there, particularly given his girlfriend could have started practising law again had they moved to the appropriate state? Seems like the Canucks might have always been takers given the coach's love for such players even after July 1. Yet two days away from freedom, he takes the security even though he was hard-pressed to get into the lineup until the bodies really began to fall in the playoffs. It shows what a great organization the Canucks have built here and good on them for it. But Brooks Laich staying in Washington to listen to more of Bruce Boudreau without even seeing what was out there just three days away? Tomas Kopecky signing in Florida just two days away from freedom and he wasn't even sure Tomas Vokoun was going to hang around? Give Ehrhoff credit for being bright enough to read the road map to riches correctly. Ehrhoff leaves blue-line void But Friday's free agent frenzy will present chances to acquire puck-moving defencemen By Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun June 30, 2011 Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis has called his pro scouts to Vancouver, assembled his war room and compiled his wish list in advance of NHL free agency Friday. The list of available defencemen took on new importance late Tuesday afternoon when Gillis gave up on attempts to re-sign Christian Ehrhoff and dealt his rights to the New York Islanders for a 2012 fourthround pick. Gillis admitted, even before trading Ehrhoff, that he was uncertain whether there was a player out there who would be a fit with the Canucks. Ehrhoff was a left-shot who played the right side. He was fleet afoot and could lug the puck from end to end or join the rush. He was outstanding on the power play, his quick release often making it through traffic to create rebounds if he didn't score himself. He had 92 points in his two years in Vancouver. The Canucks could attempt to replace him from within by increasing the power-play minutes of Alex Edler, Kevin Bieksa and Dan Hamhuis, or by utilizing a forward on the point as they did at times last season with Mikael Samuelsson. The return of injury-prone Finn Sami Salo is also a distinct possibility.

12 Prospect Kevin Connauton was a terror on the power play for the Vancouver Giants during the Western Hockey League season, but his name has yet to be mentioned as someone ready for NHL prime time. Doghouse resident Keith Ballard, who can skate and carry the puck, isn't noted as an offensive force, although he did average nearly 30 points his first five years in the league before plunging to just seven in his "annus horribilis" with the Canucks. Promising Chris Tanev hasn't shown an offensive bottom line in the NHL, but put up decent numbers in his one NCAA season -28 points in 41 games. He also collected 41 points in 50 games during his last year of Tier Two junior with the Markham Waxers. The re-signed Andrew Alberts and fellow returnee Aaron Rome are strictly stay-at home types with no offensive upside. Canucks management will almost certainly add more defencemen, either through free agency - the frenzy begins at 9 a.m. Friday -or via trade. Two summers ago, they obtained Ehrhoff in late August when San Jose was dumping salary. You just never know. "There is a tremendous amount of time between now and the day our season starts in October," assistant GM Laurence Gilman pointed out Wednesday. "There are going to be a number of changes that occur, some that are planned, some that are not planned. There may be some trades that present themselves. There are a lot of things that can shake out between now and the fall." Things start shaking out Friday, however, and there are some useful free-agent defencemen scheduled to come on the market. Is there a fit for the Canucks? Here's a list of some possibilities: 1. James Wisniewski, age 27. Previous team: Montreal. Last year's salary: $3.25 million. Habs have already traded his rights to Columbus so might not make it to market. Ofteninjured but put up 51 points last year, one more than Ehrhoff. 2. Matt Gilroy, age 26. Previous team: N.Y. Rangers. Last year's salary: $1.75 million. Former Hobey Baker winner fell out of favour in Big Apple. Canucks had interest in him two years ago. Would they again? 3. Ed Jovanovski, age 35. Previous team: Phoenix. Last year's salary: $6.5 million. Onetime Canuck is entering twilight years. Skating always an asset. Might be short-term fix. 4. Ian White, age 27. Previous team: San Jose. Last year's salary: $3 million. Small and not terribly strong in own end but good puck mover. 5. Roman Hamrlik, age 37. Previous team: Montreal. Last year's salary: $5.5 million. Like Jovo, getting near the end. Loads of experience. Shortterm fix.

13 Canucks blueline will lack depth next season MATTHEW SEKERES Vancouver From Thursday's Globe and Mail The Vancouver Canucks loaded up on expensive defencemen prior to last season, trying to cement enough depth to get through four rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Yet despite using 13 defencemen in the NHL regular season, and needing nine to get through the seventh game of the Cup final, the Canucks fell a win short of a championship against the Boston Bruins. Next season, their well won t run so deep. The Canucks have bid adieu to Christian Ehrhoff, and Sami Salo is on the verge of free agency come the league s Friday signing period. Wednesday, the club re-signed Andrew Alberts, another pending free agent, to a two-year deal with a $1.225 million (all currencies U.S.) salarycap hit, which secured a seventh NHL defenceman for Assistant general manager Laurence Gilman had to acknowledge that the team had tremendous depth last season, and would be counting on players such as Alberts to take on greater roles next year. Alberts began last season fighting for a permanent job on the blue line, and at different times, he held one down. Had the 30-year-old not suffered a broken wrist, he may have stayed there. As it was, Alberts became one of the depth parts during the Canucks playoffs run, but figures to be higher up the pecking order come training camp this autumn. We certainly think he s capable of playing at that level, Gilman said when asked if Alberts fit into the top-six next season. Alberts is joined by Kevin Bieksa, Dan Hamhuis, Alexander Edler, Keith Ballard, Aaron Rome, and Chris Tanev as defencemen under contract. Salo would like to play two more years, but the Canucks are hesitant to make that commitment to a 37-year-old with an extensive injury history, and may lose him in free agency. Giants score goalie thanks to Canucks By Steve Ewen, The Province June 29, 2011 Give the Vancouver Canucks an assist in the Vancouver Giants' scoring their latest goalie. The Giants nabbed Finnish netminder Jonathan Iilahti, 19, with the 39th overall pick in Wednesday's Canadian Hockey League import draft.

14 Giants owner Ron Toigo says Canuck brass contacted his group earlier in the day and suggested taking Iilhati, who had been the NHL club's sixth-round pick in their 2010 entry draft. "It shows how well we get along with the Canucks and how much they think of our organization," said Toigo. "Mike Gillis, right from the day he got here, said that he wanted to have a good rapport with us and it's happened. We'll do anything we can to help." It's a situation similar to that of defenceman Kevin Connauton, 21, who left Western Michigan University for the Giants for the campaign at the urging of the Canucks, who had picked him in the 2009 third round. Connauton went from seven goals in 40 games with WMU to 24 goals in 69 games with the Giants, and is considered one of the Canucks' best prospects. Oddly enough, the Canucks have never drafted a player directly from the Giants, despite the success the WHL club has had. In fact, the Canucks haven't drafted a WHL player since Iilhati had a 2.76 goals against average and a.901 save percentage in 18 games in the top Finnish junior league with the Espo Blues. The 6-foot, 175 pounder wasn't one of the the three Finnish goalies at the world junior tournament. Vancouver's starting goalie from last season, Mark Segal, has decided to forgo his overage season to attend McGill University in Montreal. He was , with a 3.07 goals against average and a.891 save percentage. His back-up, Brendan Jensen, 18, was , with a 3.76 goals against and an.875 save percentage. Meanwhile, with other picks of note on Wednesday, the OHL's Barrie Colts, took Finnish defenceman Olli Maata first overall. He turns 17 in August and isn't eligible for the NHL draft until The Kamloops Blazers took forward Tim Bozon, 17, from the HC Lugano Jr. of Switzerland with 27th pick and the Victoria Royals took forward Lucas Kralik, 18, from HC Olmouc of the Czech Republic with the 36th selection. The Kelowna Rockets selected forward Zemgus Girgensons, 17, a Latvian playing with Dubuque of the USHL, with the 45th choice. The WHL also unveiled its regular season schedule on Wednesday. The season opens Thursday, Sept. 22, with the Moose Jaw Warriors hosting the Brandon Wheat Kings in the new Moose Jaw Multiplex. The Giants begin proceedings the following night, at home to the Victoria Royals. The next evening, the Royals host the Giants at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in the first WHL game in Victoria since 1994.

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