Canucks Sign Marco Sturm and Andrew Ebbett

The Vancouver Canucks announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed left wing Marco Strum and center Andrew Ebbett to one-year contracts worth $2.25 million and $525,000, respectively. In 35 games last season with the Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals, Sturm had five goals and 11 assists for 16 points. He missed the first 32 games of the 2010-11 season with a torn ACL and MCL and another 13 games later in the season with a left knee injury. Ebbett appeared in 33 games last season with Phoenix, scoring two goals and three assists for five points. He also played in 37 games with San Antonio of the AHL, scoring 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points. These aren't bad depth signings for the Canucks. Vancouver gets a speedy forward in Sturm who is also an excellent stickhandler and is good on the power play and penalty kill. He will likely fill a top-nine role for the team next season. Ebbett secured a one-way deal with the Canucks, so he has all but secured a roster spot for next season. He will bring plenty of offensive depth to the fourth line, but could find himself a healthy scratch if he fails to impress the coaching staff.