Canucks Re-Sign Mason Raymond to Two-Year Deal

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have re-signed left wing Mason Raymond to a two-year contract worth $5.1 million, thus avoiding salary arbitration with the 24-year-old forward. The deal will pay him $2.5 million in 2010-11 and $2.6 million in 2011-12. In all 82 games last season with the Canucks, he had 25 goals and 28 assists for 53 points. Not a bad signing for Vancouver, as Raymond had a fine year with the team in 2009-10. He has decent offensive skills, can score goals, and is a good skater. His contract puts the Canucks $3 million over the salary cap, but they might get some cap relief with the recent Achilles tendon injury to oft-injured defenseman Sami Salo. If Salo goes on long-term injured reserve, his $3.5 million won't count against the team's salary. However, when he finally comes off injured reserve, they need to be prepared to move that $3 million in salary.