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| 07/15/03 Vancouver Canucks re-sign goaltender Dan Cloutier to one-year NHL deal Jim Morrisl, Canadian Press CANADA.COM VANCOUVER (CP) - He's the first Vancouver Canuck goaltender to record consecutive 30-win seasons, but Dan Cloutier knows he needs to find success in the playoffs to be considered among the NHL's elite goalies. Still feeling the sting from last spring's playoff exit, Cloutier agreed to a one-year contract Tuesday that will double his NHL salary this season. "I'm going to have something to prove for the rest of my career until I win the Stanley Cup," Cloutier told reporters at G.M. Place. "I've taken huge strides the last two years. I've proven I can win in the regular season. Now it's time for myself to really push toward another goal." Cloutier told his agent, Roland Thompson, to get a deal done as soon as possible to avoid the mudslinging and hard feelings that sometimes arise from a salary arbitration hearing. "I didn't want to go to arbitration," said Cloutier, whose warm off-ice smile covers a fiery, quick temper. "I'm a pretty emotional type of guy. Everyone knows what arbitration is like. I wanted to get it over with and focus on training." After earning $1.125 million US last season, Cloutier is believed to have signed for $2.5 million US this year. Brian Burke, the Canucks president and general manager, said the team was pleased to have Cloutier under contract. "Dan has been a very important part of our team's growth over the last few seasons and we believe he will continue to take strides and have another strong season again this year," Burke said in a release. The Canucks also announced the signing of defenceman Marek Malik to a two-year deal. Cloutier, 27, had a roller-coaster season last year. He played in 57 regular-season games, recording a career high 33 wins, with 16 losses, seven ties, two shutouts and a 2.42 goals-against average. He had a .908 save percentage and was named the NHL's player of the month in November. A ligament sprain of the right knee sidelined him for 16 games. Cloutier's golden glow turned to bronze in the playoffs. His 3.24 goals-against average and .868 save percentage were the worst of any playoff goaltender. Cloutier also gave up 15 goals on 60 shots in the final three games of the playoffs as the Minnesota Wild rebounded from a 3-1 deficit to eliminate the Canucks from the second round in seven games. "It didn't end the way we wanted," said Cloutier, who lives year round in Vancouver. "It certainly didn't end the way I wanted it. I wasn't happy with my play late in that series. These next couple of years are big for my career." Thompson denied Cloutier's playoff performance impacted the Canucks' salary offer. "I don't think it had any impact on the bottom line," said Thompson. "I think it had an impact on Dan's feeling that because of that emotional downer . . . (it) led Dan to say as long as it's fair and reasonable, let's not drag this thing out and get it done." A one-year contract probably works for both sides. If Cloutier has another bad playoff, it could allow the Canucks to begin looking for another goaltender. If Cloutier responds with a another good season, and a better playoff, it opens the door for him to demand more money. "I don't think either side talked about the length of the contract," said Cloutier. "I certainly wanted just a one-year deal." Cloutier, a six-foot-one, 195-pound native of Mont-Laurier, Que., was acquired by Vancouver on Feb. 7, 2001, from Tampa Bay in exchange for Adrian Aucoin and a second round draft pick. In 245 career regular-season games, Cloutier has posted a 90-110-27 record with 10 shutouts and a 2.74 GAA. Cloutier was originally drafted by the New York Rangers, 26th overall, in the 1994 entry draft. |