Canucks sign Dorsett, Sbisa to contract extensions

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Canucks clinched a playoff spot yesterday, and today they are looking ahead to next year. Vancouver signed Derek Dorsett and Luca Sbisa to contract extensions.

Dorsett’s deal is for four years, and worth an average of $2.65-million a season. Sbisa’s deal is for three years at $3.6-million a season.

Sbisa says he is very happy to get a deal done before the playoffs.

“It is awesome to get a deal done before the playoffs because you don’t want it lingering in the back of your head about what is going to happen. The playoffs are the most fun time of the year and you don’t want to worry about anything other then that.”

On paper, Sbisa’s deal seems very steep for a depth defenceman, but General Manager Jim Benning says the contract is good for both sides because Sbisa still has lots of room to improve.

“He plays his best game against the physical teams. He is a guy who can separate forward from the puck. He has one year of restricted free agency and we bought two years of unrestricted free agency so I feel it is a good deal for him and for the team.”

Sbisa has 11 points in his first season in Vancouver. The 25-year-old ranks second on the team in both hits with 149 and blocked shots with 127.

Dorsett would have become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The 28-year-old has a career-high 25 points this season while leading the Canucks in hits with 163. Benning says while Dorsett has been a great asset on the ice, he is just as valuable in the locker room.

“Going forward we are going to have young players that come in and make our team and we want them rubbing elbows with Derek Dorsett because on a day-to-day basis the culture of hard work and all the things he stands for is what we stand for.”

Neither contract comes with a no-trade clause.

The Canucks play the Coyotes tomorrow and Saturday against the Oilers as Vancouver tries to clinch home ice advantage in round one of the playoffs.