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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 3064799" data-attributes="member: 2012">Canucks match Kesler offerCanadian Press9/14/2006 8:12:59 PMVANCOUVER (CP) - They might not be happy about it, but the Vancouver Canucks have decided to pay up and re-sign centre Ryan Kesler.The NHL team said Thursday they will match the US$1.9-million, one-year offer sheet the Philadelphia Flyers extended to the restricted free agent. The 22-year-old Livonia, Mich., native is expected to be in Vernon, B.C., Friday for the opening day of the Canucks training camp.Kesler and the Canucks were believed to be close to agreeing on a two-year, $1.9-million contract before Flyers general manager Bob Clarke surprised everyone by making his offer for roughly twice the yearly amount.Philadelphia went after the young Canuck in an effort to replace former captain Keith Primeau, who was forced to retire because of concussion-related problems.It was the first offer sheet signed by a player since 1999. The Canucks had a week to decide whether to match the offer or receive a second-round draft pick, but took just two days to make the decision.''I think everyone was a little surprised it actually happened,'' said veteran Canuck forward Brendan Morrison. ''It is sort of the unwritten code GMs don't do that to each other.''You can't blame Kesler. What is he supposed to do? The Flyers send in the offer sheet, is he supposed to turn it down?''Kesler, picked 23rd overall in the 2003 draft, played his first full season in the NHL last year, scoring 10 goals and adding 13 assists and 79 penalty minutes in 82 games.In 110 career games with the Canucks, the six-foot-two, 205-pound centre has 12 goals, 16 assists and 95 penalty minutes.Clarke's move sparked debate around the league. Some GMs believe his action will be inflationary and affect future comparable players.Canuck general manager Dave Nonis is expected to talk to the media Friday.Signing Kesler moves the Canucks payroll to around $42.5 million, very close to this year's $44-million cap. This could affect who the Canucks sign as a backup goaltender behind Roberto Luongo.''Dave has always said he wanted to have a little room to move,'' said Morrison. ''Now this pinches us a little more.''I'm sure if we need to make a move ... Dave will figure a way around it.''While the Canucks will keep Kesler, they have lost forward Jason King. The native of Corner Brook, N.L., who had 19 goals and 33 points in 36 games with the AHL Manitoba Moose last season, has signed with Skelleftea of the Swedish Elite League rather than agree to a two-way contract with Vancouver.King's decision surprised Canuck coach Alain Vigneault.''I thought he had a good chance at making the NHL, making the next step,'' said Vigneault, who coached the Moose last season.''He made that decision with his agent. I thought he had a chance and he didn't want to take that chance. We're going to work with the guys who are here. I am sure we are going to find somebody who can get that job done.''The Canucks had qualified Kesler at $564,000 this summer.Morrison agreed that by tripling his salary Kesler will be under more pressure to perform this year.''If for some reason he doesn't live up to others expectations, then he is going to get heat for it,'' said Morrison. ''That's the nature of our business.''I think he will prove over time he's a player with a lot of upside, a lot of talent.''Technically, the last official offer sheet before Tuesday was in July 1999 when Tampa Bay made an offer for little-known Oiler Brett Hauer. Edmonton matched it.The last offer sheet of any note was in February 1998 when Carolina went after Detroit star Sergei Fedorov and the Red Wings matched it.For his part, Clarke wasn't concerned about how the move was viewed by others.''That's the rules in the CBA,'' Clarke said. ''The rules aren't convenient just for one team, they're there for everybody. You can't pick and choose. If you like one rule and I like one rule, does that mean we can only use one rule? That's crazy.''If you're unhappy with the rules, complain to (commissioner) Gary Bettman.''</blockquote>

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