Vancouver Adding to D

Vancouver signs Mathieu Schneider to a 1-Year, $1.55 million contract

The Canucks found the replacement for Mattias Ohlund that they were looking for.

After watching Ohlund sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 1st, the Canucks felt a gaping hole in their defensive corps.  Even at the age of 40, Schneider can still play the game.  He only accumulated nine goals in 67 games last season splitting time between the Thrashers and Canadiens, Schneider is still a key for a successful power-play.  6 of his 9 goals last season came with the man advantage, while also amassing 12 power-play assists.  The 20-season veteran will be a nice addition to an already impressive Canuck power-play unit.

Considering Schneider's age and the length of the contract, this deal makes perfect sense for the Canucks.  They filled the hole that Ohlund left on the blue line for the upcoming season.  This is a good short-term fix that will help Roberto Luongo sleep easier at night.

Vancouver acquires Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich from San Jose for defenseman Daniel Rahimi and forward Patrick White

The Canucks were not done bolstering their blue line after signing Schneider on Friday. 

The team announced that they had acquired the two defensemen shortly after signing Schneider.  With Kevin Bieksa and Willie Mitchell being the two tough defensemen that plow the front of the net, the Canucks added Ehrhoff who is widely known as a puck-moving defender.  Adding 34 assists last season, he can thread the needle to his forwards when the game is on the line.

Lukowich is not going to get the points, but he will be a solid sixth or seventh defenseman for the Canucks.  He is a steady well-rounded defenseman with a good head on the ice that keeps him out of the penalty box.  He will not challenge anyone for their spots on the team, but will provide support given any injuries.

All in all, the Canucks have added depth to an already impressive defense.  The experience of Schneider and the depth-additions of Ehrhoff and Lukowich can only spell for a more hopeful run in this season's playoffs.