The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed forward Brendan Gaunce to a two-year, one-way contract today. The deal comes with an average annual value of $750,000 per season. The full press release from the signing can be found below:

With Gaunce signed, the Canucks have 45 contracts on the books for next season with Bo Horvat being the only remaining RFA to be signed. This is well below the maximum of 50 contracts and should allow the Canucks some flexibility going into the season in case trades or waivers claims become available.

Gaunce has been spending some of the off-season recovering from a shoulder injury that occurred late in the season, last year.

Obviously, Gaunce didn’t score any goals last campaign but did very well at controlling the shot differentials while on the ice.

Just a reminder that two-way/One-Way contract only dictates the compensation at AHL/NHL levels. Given his professional experience, Gaunce would be required to clear waivers to be assigned to the AHL. He may not start the season with a regular lineup role and be a 13th/14th forward, but he will in all likelihood start the season on the NHL roster and due to injury quickly be back in the lineup.

If Gaunce does find himself on waivers and is assigned to the AHL, there are no cap implications to the Canucks as he was under the maximum allowable salary to be buried, which is something I covered in July here.