Loui Eriksson lands with Canucks for 6 years, $36 million
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 19: Loui Eriksson #21 of Sweden celebrates his goal with Daniel Sedin #22 in the third period against Slovenia during the Men’s Ice Hockey Quarterfinal Playoff on Day 12 of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics at Bolshoy Ice Dome on February 19, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Loui Eriksson was one of the highly sought after belles of the free agent ball with his left handed shot. He had eight teams looking into his services and he decided to take his talents to … the Vancouver Canucks?
Yes, Eriksson has signed a six year, $36-million contract with the Canucks; holding an average annual value of $6-million per year.
Vancouver feels like a curious choice for the winger who turns 31-years-old on July 17. However, if you look at the roster there are two identical men who are used to playing with Eriksson that probably helped in a securing his services.
In international competition, Eriksson has slotted on to the wing with Daniel and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks website referred to him as “… the Alex Burrows of the Swedish National men’s Ice Hockey Team since winning World Championship gold with the Sedin twins back in 2013.”
(Hmm… isn’t Alex Burrows still on the Canucks?)
Loui spent the last three seasons with Boston Bruins where he scored a total of 147 points (62-85=147) in 224 games played. He was the subject of numerous trade rumors at the deadline as it appeared he and Boston would be unable to reach a deal. The Bruins continued to negotiate with the winger but didn’t match the term and money Loui wanted.
This is Loui’s second go around in the Western Conference. He was with the Dallas Stars organization from 2006-2013.
The people most terrified of the return of Loui is the rest of the Pacific Division. Against the rest of the division not including the Canucks, Eriksson is a career 157 points in 236 games versus Anaheim, Arizona, Los Angeles, Edmonton, Calgary, and San Jose.
This is a curious move on the part of Eriksson. We don’t know the movement clauses – if any – attached to his contract. His buddies the Sedin twins are 35-years-old and have two years left on their current contracts (with full no move clauses). He may see something that the rest of us don’t see in Vancouver. This is a young team with a lot of question marks. Winning the whole thing in the next two years is highly unlikely. Perhaps the team was the only one to give him the term he wanted. Until we hear from the player himself, who knows.
– – – – – – –
Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter!
MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY
