Canucks sign Dorsett and Sbisa to new deals

Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning had more than just a playoff berth to celebrate Wednesday.
Benning announced that winger Derek Dorsett and defenceman Luca Sbisa have signed contract extensions. Dorsett, a bruising fourth liner who plays way above his limited size, received a new four-year deal through 2018-19. Sbisa, who has emerged as a top-six rearguard, signed a new three-year contract.
Both are completing their first season with the team following off-season trades from the New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks, respectively. The new contracts came after the Canucks qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Kings lost to the Edmonton Oilers.
“We have some good, young players that are going to be on our team here in the next few years, so we want to make sure that we surround them with the right type of people and players,” said Benning. “And, I feel, with the decisions that we’ve made today, we’re going in that direction.”
Dorsett, a 28-year-old Kindersley, Sask., native has posted single-season career highs in points (25) and assists (18). He leads the team in hits (163) and his team-leading 169 penalty minutes rank fourth in the NHL. In 408 career NHL games with the Canucks, Rangers, and Columbus Blue Jackets, he has recorded 98 points (38-60-98) and1,024 penalty minutes. He also has one post-season assist, with the Rangers last season as he helped them reach the Stanley Cup finals.
According to Canucks coach Willie Desjardins, he stands out in many ways. He also stands up for his teammates.
“Everybody knows that when he’s on the ice, your back’s covered,” said Desjardins. “There’s no problems. He’s out there. He’ll always come to your aid, and I think players appreciate that.”
“Derek Dorsett has the heart of a lion,” added Benning. “He plays hard every game. Some games, he doesn’t feel good. … But you get the same effort with him every game. That’s what we’re trying to do around here. We want to be a hard-working team every night, and he brings that to our group.”
Sbisa, 25, has recorded 11 points (3-8-11) and 46 penalty minutes. He ranks second on the team in both hits with 149 and blocked shots with 127.
“In this division, we’re playing against L.A., San Jose, Anaheim – big, heavy teams – and he plays his best games against big, heavy teams,” said Benning. “He’s a guy that can separate forwards from the puck, he has his strength, and he’s young. He’s 25 years old. He has one year of restricted free agency (remaining) and then we bought two years of unrestricted with him. So I feel it’s a good deal – for him and for the team.”
Born in Italy and raised in Switzerland, Sbisa has produced 67 points in 340 career NHL games the Canucks, Ducks, and Philadelphia Flyers, who drafted him 19th overall in 2008.
“He’s continued to improve all year,” said Benning. “He’s physical, he blocks shots, he’s an old throw-back, stay-at-home, physical defenceman. I like the way he plays, and I think he’s an important guy going forward.”