Canucks Re-Sign Steve Bernier

[Thrillhouse]

Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that the team has re-signed right wing, Steve Bernier.

“Steve Bernier had a career year with Vancouver and we look forward to him building on a successful first season with the club,” said Mike Gillis. “Steve is a talented young player, who will continue to improve and mature over the course of his career.”

Bernier, 24, set career highs in his first year with Vancouver, recording 32 points (15-17-32) and 27 penalty minutes in 81 games played. The Canucks forward also finished the season ranked third on the team with four game-winning goals. In 258 career NHL games Bernier has recorded 122 points (60-62-122) and 155 penalty minutes. On the international stage, Bernier captured a gold medal with Team Canada at the World Under-18 Championships in Yaroslavl, Russia in 2003.

The 6-foot-2, 225 lbs. native of Quebec City, PQ, was originally acquired by trade from Buffalo on July 4, 2008 in exchange for 2nd and 3rd round draft picks (2010, 2009 respectively).

[CapsFan99]

Any word on how much and for how long?

[HordiBrusk29]

I heard it was a 2 year deal. Not sure about money however.

[Jensen]

So far this guy has been a career underachiever. He was hyped up to be an all-star power forward, but so far all he has done is disappoint.

[HordiBrusk29]

2 years $4 million.

[skacore]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

2 years $4 million.

2 mill/year or 4 mill/year?

[xTYRANTx]

Believe it is 2 year 2mil per year. pay decrease from what he was making this season.

[stevecanuck16]

Originally Posted by xTYRANTx

Believe it is 2 year 2mil per year. pay decrease from what he was making this season.

This is about what I was hoping for. Good deal for the guy who led our team in hits this year. Could potentially be a late bloomer, as power forward types are known to do.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by skacore

2 mill/year or 4 mill/year?

As xTYRANTx said, $2 million per season.

[peacemaker]

A much better value at 2 mill per. He will put up significantly more points, and cost less next yr.

[CapsFan99]

looks like Gillis got Steve to take a big pay cut to save money to resign other guys, which is good for nuck fans.

i was sure he would have made at least 3 or 4 mill this year.

[peacemaker]

Whatever they have going on behind the scenes amongst the players, coaching staff and management seems to be working in the Nucks favour, at least with the younger guys.

Alex Burrows signed for much less than he would have gotten as a UFA this summer.
Ryan Kesler was scolded by his agent and the NHLPA for publicly stating he would accept less money to stay here, and for encouraging other players to do the same to keep the team together in Vancouver.

Getting Bernier to take a pay cut (he was way overpaid least yr though) is another step forward. While he was overpaid last yr, he could still have gotten more than 2 mill per for 4 years.

[thepolishkid88]

Love the Nucks and the style that's going on there. Seems like more guys are willing to take pay cuts now to reach the SCF. Or at least what they hope will be the SCF. It's a promising sign for Nucks fans and hockey fans.