Michael Ivins-US PRESSWIRE
Alex Burrows joined various NHL players in signing deals before the lockout today, signing a four year contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks worth $18 million. The signing came about an hour before Shane Doan announced that he resigned with the Phoenix Coyotes, signaling Vancouver couldn’t win over the long time Phoenix Coyotes captain. The deal begins in the 2013-2014 season and holds a cap hit of $4.5 million per season.
Burrows, 31, registered 51 points last season for Vancouver collecting 28 goals and 24 assists. He was a clutch player this past season, tallying seven game winning goals for the Canucks and his also been a key performer in the postseason for Vancouver with three overtime goals in the playoffs. Burrows has gone from once being an ECHL player to a top player in the NHL. He plays with great intensity and backs down from no one. He’s been known for frustrating opponents, but has not yet been able to lift the Stanley Cup.
But that’s what Burrows is after. He feels comfortable in Vancouver and believes this organization is a Cup contender. “Me and my family really like it here in Vancouver, we like the organization, it’s a team that wants to win and wants to win the Stanley Cup and that’s exactly what I want to do. It makes sense for me to get a deal done and be here for another five years will be a lot of fun.”
The Canucks have locked up some key players under contract such as the Sedin twins and Burrows has taken notice, “Especially seeing guys like Kes, Kevin and the twins, they’re all still going to be here for a while and that’s really exciting. I know they’re good players and really committed, they’re working hard in the off-season to be in the best shape of their lives to come back and have another strong season and hopefully we win the ultimate prize.”
With Burrows signed the next task for Vancouver is to sort out their goal tending situation. With Cory Schneider signed, the question is when will Roberto Luongo be traded? The Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs have been rumored to be interested in acquiring Luongo, but want the Canucks asking price to go down.
Either way the next time Vancouver takes the ice, the Canucks team will be a cup favorite, “They’re really good to the players. The organization is really committed to winning and is willing to do whatever it can to help the players to succeed.”
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