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 Forward Mikael Samuelsson, who won the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008, signed a three-year deal Friday worth $7.5 million US and is projected to play on one of the Canucks top two lines.
Hopefully I will get a little more ice time and more opportunities offensively, the 32-year-old right-winger said on a conference call from Sweden. I think my role can be a little difference here than in Detroit. I know I have to deserve it but at least they have a plan for me.
Samuelsson spent the past four seasons with the Red Wings and just finished a three-year contract that paid him $1.2 million annually. Vancouvers offer more than doubles his previous annual wage.
There were a bunch of reasons I chose Vancouver and not only for good money, but obviously that was a key, I shouldnt lie, Samuelsson said.
Samuelsson will see a few familiar faces in the Canuck dressing room. He played with captain Roberto Luongo and enforcer Darcy Hordichuk in Florida and with the Sedin twins internationally, including the 2006 Winter Olympics, won by Sweden.
I talked to a some of the guys on the team and they said they wanted me so it wasnt too hard of a decision, Samuelsson said. I like the team. They have a chance to win, in my mind. I think theyre hungry and they want to win, The whole thing felt great, right from the get-go.
Canuck assistant GM Lorne Henning indicated Samuelsson will likely play with the Sedins on the power play, and possibly at even strength as well. Those decisions, Henning added, will ultimately be up to head coach Alain Vigneault.
Mikael was somebody we were targeting for a long time and were lucky to get him, Henning said. Certainly we see him as a top-six forward. Hes a right-handed shot, which we love, and hes familiar with the twins and played with them in the Olympics. He can also play the point on the power play and he has a great shot.
Henning added that Samuelsson was not necessarily a replacement for Mats Sundin, who is once again contemplating his playing future.
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