Canucks busy on the first day of free agency

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) The Vancouver Canucks were in desperate need of scoring after finishing second last in goals last season. The team was able to sign one of the top two wingers available on the opening day of NHL free agency.

The Canucks agreed to a 6 year contract worth $36 million dollars with forward Loui Erikkson. The right winger played for Boston last season, finishing with 30 goals and 63 points.

Erikkson is expected to play with the Sedin twins on the top line, Canucks GM Jim Benning says his versatility was also a key in signing him

“He is a two way player, he had an excellent year last season. When we went through the process this summer thinking about how we can get our team better, we wanted to up the skill level of our team, and we feel we did that by adding Loui.”

Erikkson has played with the Sedins on the Swedish national team, and knows what to expect from them.

“We kind of play the same way, we like to give the puck and get it back. We seem to match real well when we play together, especially in the 2013 world championship when we won it, we came together really well.”

The Canucks also announced the signing of defenceman Philip Larsen as well as forward Jayson Megna to one year, one way deals, while forwards Michael Chaput and Borna Rendulic and defenceman Chad Billins each sign a one-year, two-way contract.

GM Jim Benning also said the team will not buyout forward Alex Burrows, while d-man Dan Hamhuis is moving on, he  signed a 2 year deal with the Dallas Stars.

Some of the other big names that signed with new teams today:

Vancouver’s Milan Lucic signs with Edmonton for 7 years for $42 million.

Kyle Okposo signs with Buffalo for 7 years for $42 million.

Andrew Ladd signs with the Islanders for 7 years for $35.5 million.

Mikael Boedker signs with San Jose for 4 years for $16 million.

David Backes signs with Boston for 5 years for $30 million.

Alex Radulov signs with Montreal for 1 year for $5.75 million.