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Report: Canucks, Burrows negotiating new deal

Corey Crawford

Vancouver Canucks’ Alex Burrows celebrates his game winning goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the overtime period of game 7 of an NHL Western Conference quarterfinal Stanley Cup playoff hockey series in Vancouver, British Columbia on Tuesday April 26, 2011. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jonathan Hayward)

AP

According to Vancouver’s CKWX News1130, the Vancouver Canucks have started negotiations on a contract extension for winger Alex Burrows.

Burrows, 31, is heading into the final year of a deal that pays $2 million annually. The four-year, $8 million deal he signed back in 2009-10 represents one of the league’s best bargains -- since signing, he’s averaged 29 goals per season and missed just 12 games to injury.

Last season, he averaged a career-high 18:28 of ice time and finished tied for 21st in even strength goals (23) with Jamie Benn and Jonathan Toews.

More, from News1130:

#Canucks forward Alex Burrows agent Paul Corbeil tells CKWX talks are in the initial stages for a new deal for Burrows.

— News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) August 15, 2012


Corbiel says the #Canucks called him 2 weeks ago and expressed interest in getting a new deal done.

— News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) August 15, 2012


Burrows is a u-f-a next summer and has set himself up for a nice pay day. Corbiel says Burrows #1 choice is to re-sign with #Canucks.

— News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) August 15, 2012


Corbiel added the two sides haven’t discussed numbers yet, but it stands to reason Burrows could be in line for a pay raise.

Here’s what the Vancouver Province’s Gord McIntyre wrote on Monday:

He has leadership qualities, understands the game extremely well and, should his goal scoring start to decline, he could still play a major defensive role in the likes of a Guy Carbonneau or Mike Keane.

Burrows, who has averaged just under 30 goals the past three seasons, could garner $4.5-$5 million for four or five years on the open market and that’s probably too rich for the Canucks.

McIntyre also notes that Burrows holds the trump card of being “the best winger the Sedins have ever had.” Though to be fair, his chief rival in that category is probably Anson Carter.