Canucks ink Sedin twins to four-year extensions

The Vancouver Canucks have signed twin-brothers Henrik and Daniel Sedin to matching four-year, $28-million contract extensions.

The Sedin twins were set to become free agents at the end of the season, but these extensions will keep the 33-year-olds in Vancouver until the 2017-18 season. In 1999 the Canucks selected Daniel with the second overall pick and then Henrik with the third.

They both made their NHL debuts in 2000 and have spent their entire 13 year careers with Vancouver. Neither Henrik nor Daniel has missed many games throughout their career. Of a possible 950 regular season games over the past 12 seasons, Henrik has played in 940, while Daniel skated in 906.

“These two guys are the pillars of the hockey team,” said Canucks GM Mike Gillis.

They have been split up at various times this season but are currently playing together with Ryan Kesler, on what is one of the hottest lines in the NHL right now. Henrik is tied for second in the NHL with 18 points (3 G / 15 A) in 15 games, while Daniel has six goals and nine assists for 15 points. Kesler’s fantasy owners are loving his new digs on the top line as well; he has eight goals and three assists to start the season.

The Sedin’s have a ton of skill and have been called “soft” in the past, but new head coach John Tortorella could not disagree more.

“I’m not sure who started it but I’m sure there are a couple of know-it-alls out there who always talk about it,” Tortorella said. “But they don’t have a clue what these guys are about. It pisses me off, the reputation that’s still out there. It’s so undeserving and so disrespectful.”

Tortorella went on for a good amount of time about their reputation, but you get the just of it.

The deal will pay Daniel and Henrik $7-million per season, which is more than reasonable for players of their caliber.

“We have been working on this deal for four months,” Gillis said.

In comparison, (according to CapGeek.com) Tortorella’s old players Rick Nash makes $7.8-million and Brad Richards, $6.6-million. To put that into perspective, Nash’s career high in points is 79 (2008-09) – Daniel has topped that four times; Henrik five. They’ve each had multiple seasons with better than a point-per-game, including one 100-point season each.

Expect them to continue filling the stat sheet after a strong start as the Canucks look to make the playoffs for a sixth straight season.