The Vancouver Canucks didn’t move any of their top defensemen (sorry, Philip Holm) at the trade deadline, instead actually handing out an extension to Erik Gudbranson to keep him off the open market this summer. They’ve now done the same thing for one of their lesser-known commodities, as the team announced a two-year extension for Alex Biega that carries an annual average value of $825K.
Originally selected by the Buffalo Sabres in 2006, Biega would play four years at Harvard before starting his professional career in the AHL. After a few years in the Buffalo system without a chance at the NHL, he became a Group VI free agent and signed with Vancouver. Now with 125 NHL games under his system, he’s become a solid part-time player for the Canucks capable of logging minutes on the bottom pairing.
With extensions for Gudbranson and Biega, the Canucks would have six NHL defensemen already under contract for the 2018-19 season, with Derrick Pouliot and Troy Stecher looking for new contracts as restricted free agents. With many hoping that top prospect Olli Juolevi will also make the jump to the NHL next season, it could lead to an interesting offseason of trade talk surrounding the Canucks’ blue line. Chris Tanev and Alexander Edler are usually the focus of that speculation, though Ben Hutton has also drawn interest from around the league this season.
Biega, 29, is currently earning just $750K for the Canucks, and with just 31 games under his belt wasn’t able to negotiate much more than that. Vancouver has a fair amount of cap space with Henrik and Daniel Sedin’s contracts expiring, but could have a lot of money sunk into their defense corps if Pouliot and Stecher get long-term deals. It could force their hand in terms of a trade, which could make draft day extra intriguing for Canucks fans.
Rick Dhaliwal of News 1130 was first to report that the team is close to an extension.
This is a pathetic defense group. Outside of Tanev (and Edler, but he’s more a 2nd pairing d-man – think Phaneuf). Signing Gubranson, Pouliot (who coudn’t crack Pittsburg), Biega, and Hutton – to fill out your bottom 4 is terrifying. Where’s the offense going to come from?
The Bulldog! He has what it takes to play on the bottom pairing the whole season. He plays with a lot of energy and grit
I’m sure Canucks will be heavy in for Karlsson, and would have a year to figure out 12×8 years. Sedins off the books leaves more then enough room. If they miss out…then sign twins back for a couple years for development.