It isn't a bad contract - essentially the price that is paid for a defender who has some skills (big, physical, hard shot) but doesn't have the ability to play a good north south game and has a poor outlet pass.
The price tag is fair - he is a good stop gap that allows time for others to develop and the Canucks have to continue to draft and find prospects. The contract isn't overly burdensome and he appears to be a good locker room player. Fans of rebuilding teams need to realize that you can't trade away every veteran, otherwise you end up like the Oilers, throwing young players into high pressure situations where they can falter.
Plus what other options are available, they don't have the defensive depth to call anyone of value up and UFA is a horrible route where they will overpay for someone else.
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