Canucks Sign Maxim Lapierre to Two-Year Extension

The Vancouver Canucks announced Monday evening that they have signed center Maxim Lapierre to a two-year contract extension worth $2 million. The deal will pay him $1 million each season. He would have been a restricted free agent on July 1. He was acquired by the Canucks on February 28 from the Anaheim Ducks along with MacGregor Sharp in exchange for Joel Perrault and a third round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. The Ducks acquired him from Montreal last December for Brett Festerling and a fifth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. In 78 games last season with the Canadiens, Ducks, and Canucks, Lapierre had six goals and six assists for 12 points and 80 penalty minutes. Not a bad signing for the Canucks, as Lapierre brings plenty of grit and toughness to the team in an agitating role, as well as some versatility. However, he does lack discipline and can grate on his teammates after a while. Hopefully he can play a more disciplined game with Vancouver over the next two seasons or he could find himself on the trade block.