Canucks avoid arbitration, sign Hansen

The Vancouver Canucks and forward Jannik Hansen have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a three-year contract.

Hansen had a career-best 29 points while playing all 82 games last season, and his 9 goals tied a career-best. He also was second on the team with 149 hits and third among the team's forwards with an average of 2:24 per game in shorthanded ice time.

The deal is reportedly worth $4.05 million, with Hansen set to earn $1.6 million in 2011-12, $1.35 million in 2012-13 and $1.1 million in 2013-14.

"It is nice to get the three years and not have to worry about going through this every summer," Hansen said during a teleconference. "It is also nice knowing the team is willing to commit to myself for that extended period -- it is not just one year and see how it goes."

He added 3 goals, 9 points and a team-best plus-7 rating in 25 playoff games to help the Canucks reach the Stanley Cup Final. It was the first time he played a full season in the NHL after splitting the previous three seasons between the Canucks and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose.

Drafted by the Canucks in the ninth round of the 2004 Entry Draft, Hansen has 24 goals and 41 assists in 189 games.

"He's a guy that can produce more finish," Vancouver assistant general manager Laurence Gilman said. "He's a guy that can score 15 to 20 goals a year. It's entirely up to Jannik, but we think it's possible."

Contact Adam Kimelman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @NHLAdamK