Vancouver locks up Chris Tanev for five years

The Hockey Central at Noon crew says the Vancouver Canucks are a team to look out for, they may lack the sizzle of other teams, but keep battling, bouncing back and finding ways to win.

The Vancouver Canucks locked up Chris Tanev Tuesday.

The defenceman inked a five-year, $22.5-million extension worth an average annual salary of $4.45 million, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Tanev’s new deal, which takes him through the 2020-21 season, more than doubles the blueliner’s salary. Tanev’s previous contract, which carried a $2 million cap hit, expires July 1, at which point he would have become a restricted free agent.

“Chris has developed into an excellent NHL defenceman and is an extremely important part of our team,” Canucks general manager Jim Benning said in a press release. “He’s a player you want on the ice in the most critical points of a game and we’re excited about having him with our group as we continue to play to win today, with an eye to the future.”

The 25-year-old Toronto native has recorded 16 points and 10 penalty minutes in his sixth season with the Canucks, who signed him as a free agent in May 2010.

He currently ranks second on the team with a +10 rating, first on the team in shorthanded time on ice per game (2:46) and second in even-strength time on ice per game (17:55). Tanev also leads the team and ranks 13th in the league in blocked shots this season with 153.

Among Vancouver defencemen, Tanev’s cap hit ranks fourth behind Alex Edler ($5 million), Kevin Bieksa ($4.6 million) and Dan Hamhuis ($4.5 million).

March 24, 2015

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Christopher Tanev
SIGNED BY
Vancouver Canucks
LENGTH
5 yrs
CONTRACT TYPE
Re-signing
SALARY CAP HIT
$4.45 million
TOTAL
$22.5 million

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