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Vancouver Canucks Sign RW Alex Grenier and D Andrey Pedan to 2-Way Deals |
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The Vancouver Canucks took care of their last required bit of offseason paperwork on Tuesday, announcing that they've signed restricted free agents Alex Grenier and Andrey Pedan to new one-year, two-way contracts.
Here are the details:
Pedan, 23, is coming out of the entry-level deal that he signed with the New York Islanders, who drafted him in 2011 and inked him at the beginning of the 2013-14 season. That contract was worth $792,500 at the NHL level and $70,000 at the AHL level, but included a signing bonus of $92,500 per season.
The new deal gives him an increase at the AHL level but drops his base salary if he makes the NHL, and does not appear to include any bonus clauses.
Pedan was 7-14-21 in 45 games with Utica last season, with 87 penalty minutes. He also played 13 games with the Canucks—where he was pointless and averaged 10:57 of ice time per game.
He will need to be put on waivers next season if the Canucks choose to send him down to the minors, but most teams have similar bubble players on their rosters. I like Pedan's size and his attitude, in particular.
That being said, I don't think he has done enough to make another team think that he'd be a must-have player. Another year in Utica may be just what he needs for his development.
As for Grenier:
Last season, Grenier was on a one-year deal that paid him $585,000 at the NHL level, $90,000 in Utica and included a $10,000 signing bonus, so he gets a small raise at all levels.
Grenier led the Utica Comets with 16-32-48 in 69 games last season—a five-point improvement from 2014-15. He spent six games with the Canucks, where he was also pointless.
Like Pedan, Grenier has good size at 6'5". And I'd say, like Pedan, there won't be a problem getting him through waivers if that's the approach the team chooses to take before the beginning of the regular season.
After the Frankie Corrado incident last year, it's easy to get nervous about waivers but there are lots of bubble players scattered around the league—and a finite number of roster spots. I hope both Pedan and Grenier get a chance to stick with the organization and show their stuff next season.
One other contract note before I wrap up for today:
Negrin's a 27-year-old defenseman, originally from West Vancouver. He's one of the original Utica Comets from their first year of existence in 2013-14, so he'll be back for his fourth season. The only other originals still in the organization are Grenier, Alex Biega and Darren Archibald—who also re-signed for another year earlier in July.
Now, just one more order of business. I don't think we'll have to wait much longer before it's announced that fifth-overall pick Olli Juolevi has signed his entry-level deal. It sounds like both sides want to see if, by chance, he has what it takes to make the big club this year.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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