It looks like Yannick Weber will return to the Canucks after all.
The Canucks have re-signed Yannick Weber to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, according to a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Hearing Yannick Weber will re-sign in VAN for one year and $1.5M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2015
The 26-year-old Swiss defenceman had a career-year last season, scoring 11 goals and 21 points in 65 games. Weber led all Canucks defencemen in goals last season and was a catalyst on Vancouver’s first unit power play late in the season.
This was a bit of a stroke of genius from Canucks general manager Jim Benning. Weber, who was slated to be a restricted free agent, was not tendered a qualifying offer. Vancouver was worried about what Weber could get in salary arbitration, given his impressive point totals. So instead, Benning allowed Weber to become an unrestricted free agent, with the intention of re-signing him.
The Canucks now have five NHL defencemen under contract: Alex Edler, Chris Tanev, Dan Hamhuis, Luca Sbisa and Yannick Weber. They also have youngsters Frank Corrado and Adam Clendening, who will be re-signed as restricted free agents.
The challenge for Weber will be to get into the lineup ahead of Clendening or Corrado, which will allow him to get a regular shift on the power play, where he is most effective.
The NHL free agent signing period has begun, with teams able to sign players to new contracts beginning at 9:00 am this morning.
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