Yesterday, we passed along a report that Vancouver was “close” to agreeing to terms with SHL standout Anton Rodin.
Turns out it was really, really close.
On Tuesday, the Canucks announced they signed Rodin -- the winner of this year’s Swedish League MVP -- to a one-year, one-way contract.
Per Sportsnet, the deal is worth $950,000 and kicks in next season, meaning he won’t be joining the Canucks this year.
Rodin, 25, was Vancouver’s second-round pick at the 2009 draft. After spending two years with the club’s AHL affiliate (then in Chicago), he opted to return to Sweden and re-join the club of his youth, Brynas.
This year, the 5-foot-11, 181-pound forward had 16 goals and 37 points in 33 games for Brynas and finished tied for 15th in the league in scoring. His season ended about one week ago, and the Canucks have retained Rodin’s rights since his departure in ’13.
Earlier this season, Canucks GM Jim Benning acknowledged his club was scouting Rodin, noting the key to bringing him over to North America was the lure of playing in the NHL.
The one-way deal ensures that Rodin will earn his full NHL salary next year.