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stuff99 · 07-04-2009, 12:39 AM

Canucks pick up Mikael Samuelsson from Red Wings

Three-year deal for player on team's radar for 'long time'

By Jason Botchford, The Province
July 3, 2009

The Canucks sure like Mikael Samuelsson's versatility, right-hand shot, and Stanley Cup ring. Because they didn't wait long to make a hefty offer to the former Red Wing, who established himself as a 40-point player in Detroit.

Those 40 points, which Samuelsson hit in each of the past two years, got him a three-year, $7.5 million offer from the Canucks on July 1. It took Samuelsson some time, at least a day, but he finally decided that kind of scratch was enough to say goodbye to the land of long, long hockey seasons.

Samuelsson indicated he had many offers. It's been reported that the Wings were looking to keep Samuelsson for about $1.5 million a year. If true, that would make the difference in money huge. But still Samuelsson said he had to take some time choosing between Vancouver and Detroit, the two teams it came down to.

"I liked it in Detroit, I have no hard feelings for them," Samuelsson said. "But they came up too short, and too late. In my mind they made their choices when they signed guys through the year."

Hey, it's not easy leaving the best franchise in hockey. And, for the Canucks, he didn't come cheap. But they don't seem to mind, even if Samuelsson will turn 33 in December.

"We've liked Mikael for a long time," assistant GM Lorne Henning said. "We liked a lot of things he brought to the table. For sure, he was at the top of our list."

Samuelsson is a late bloomer who has a low odometer reading. Just 466 games. That makes him a good gamble for the Canucks who need his versatility, especially on the power play.

"He's certainly going to be on the top two lines," Henning said.

For now, Samuelsson is expected to be the Sedin twins' running mate on the power play. It won't be the first time.

"At the Olympics they played together and I think at the World Championships they did at one time," Henning said.

"They like playing with each other and it's a great power-play setup. It's always good when you can have a right-handed shooter with the twins and he does have a great shot."

Samuelsson can man the area around the net and be the right-hand shot head coach Alain Vigneault is always looking for to play with the twins.

He can also play the point, which he did for most of the playoffs in Detroit. This will be especially important during Sami Salo's inevitable visits to the injured list.

Improving the power play was one of the Canucks' No. 1 goals this offseason after finishing 17th in the NHL last year.

Samuelsson joked that he won't bring his Stanley Cup ring in the dressing room on the first day.

"If they ask me and they are serious about it, I will bring it in," he said.

E-mail: jbotchford@theprovince.com
© Copyright (c) The Province

07-04-2009, 12:39 AM	#905
stuff99 I subscribe to the Fight Club ONLY Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver Posts: 7,316 Thanked 212 Times in 79 Posts Failed 35 Times in 23 Posts	Canucks pick up Mikael Samuelsson from Red Wings Three-year deal for player on team's radar for 'long time' By Jason Botchford, The Province July 3, 2009 The Canucks sure like Mikael Samuelsson's versatility, right-hand shot, and Stanley Cup ring. Because they didn't wait long to make a hefty offer to the former Red Wing, who established himself as a 40-point player in Detroit. Those 40 points, which Samuelsson hit in each of the past two years, got him a three-year, $7.5 million offer from the Canucks on July 1. It took Samuelsson some time, at least a day, but he finally decided that kind of scratch was enough to say goodbye to the land of long, long hockey seasons. Samuelsson indicated he had many offers. It's been reported that the Wings were looking to keep Samuelsson for about $1.5 million a year. If true, that would make the difference in money huge. But still Samuelsson said he had to take some time choosing between Vancouver and Detroit, the two teams it came down to. "I liked it in Detroit, I have no hard feelings for them," Samuelsson said. "But they came up too short, and too late. In my mind they made their choices when they signed guys through the year." Hey, it's not easy leaving the best franchise in hockey. And, for the Canucks, he didn't come cheap. But they don't seem to mind, even if Samuelsson will turn 33 in December. "We've liked Mikael for a long time," assistant GM Lorne Henning said. "We liked a lot of things he brought to the table. For sure, he was at the top of our list." Samuelsson is a late bloomer who has a low odometer reading. Just 466 games. That makes him a good gamble for the Canucks who need his versatility, especially on the power play. "He's certainly going to be on the top two lines," Henning said. For now, Samuelsson is expected to be the Sedin twins' running mate on the power play. It won't be the first time. "At the Olympics they played together and I think at the World Championships they did at one time," Henning said. "They like playing with each other and it's a great power-play setup. It's always good when you can have a right-handed shooter with the twins and he does have a great shot." Samuelsson can man the area around the net and be the right-hand shot head coach Alain Vigneault is always looking for to play with the twins. He can also play the point, which he did for most of the playoffs in Detroit. This will be especially important during Sami Salo's inevitable visits to the injured list. Improving the power play was one of the Canucks' No. 1 goals this offseason after finishing 17th in the NHL last year. Samuelsson joked that he won't bring his Stanley Cup ring in the dressing room on the first day. "If they ask me and they are serious about it, I will bring it in," he said. E-mail: jbotchford@theprovince.com © Copyright (c) The Province __________________ ....