Jannik Hansen signed through 2013-2014

Following his first full NHL season, The Canucks rewarded Jannik Hansen with a 3 year deal and in the process avoided a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for July 29th. The energetic forward played in all 82 regular season games, recording 9 goals and 20 assists and played a key role on the Canucks penalty kill. During the Canucks run to the Stanley Cup Finals, Hansen contributed 3 goals and 6 assists in 25 games and played perhaps his best hockey in a Canucks uniform, making big plays in big spots and continuing to play with an edge.

The cap hit on the contract comes out at an affordable $1.35 million, a bargain for a 25 year old who figures to continue developing into a better offensive player (with his speed 20 goals is a possibility) while maintaining an effective defensive game. The length of the deal is a positive for both sides. Hansen wanted a contract that assured some long term stability while the Canucks were able to save some salary cap space and sign a player they clearly like for an extended period of time.

Hansen does what every bottom six forward should strive to do: he skates hard every shift and he forechecks aggressively at every opportunity. It helps that Hansen has exceptional speed and is unafraid to throw his body around. He's an ideal complement to Manny Malhotra on the Canucks third line and an important piece if the Canucks hope to play in mid June again next season. The only remaining free agent that saw considerable time with the Canucks last season is RFA Victor Oreskovich, the soon to be 25 year old winger who shares many similar traits with Hansen and will likely be back next season as a full time fourth liner.