CANUCKS BANTER     By Andrew Chernoff    July 2, 2016

Canucks signed five more free agents on Canada Day after landing Loui Eriksson, caping off an eventful free agent frenzy.

Canucks sign Jayson Megna to one-year deal

Canucks signed forward Jayson Megna to a one-year, one-way contract that will carry a value of $600,000.

“Jayson brings a combination of size, speed and skill to our team adding depth to our forward group this season,” said Jim Benning. “He has the ability to catch the opposition off-guard with deceptive speed and brings a willingness to play in the difficult areas around the net and in the corners. We’re pleased to be able to add Jayson to the team.”

Megna, 26, split the 2015.16 season between the New York Rangers and the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack. In six games with the Rangers, Megna tallied one goal and one assist (1-1-2) along with two penalty minutes. In 68 games with Hartford, he finished tied for third on the team in goals (15), tied for first in assists (29) and second in points (44). His totals on the year in games played, assists and points were all AHL career-highs.

The 6-1, 195-pound forward has skated in 54 career NHL games over parts of three seasons split between New York and Pittsburgh, registering 12 points (6-6-12) along with 22 penalty minutes. In addition, Megna has appeared in two career NHL playoff games.

Prior to his professional career, Megna played one season with the University of Nebraska-Omaha. During his freshman season in 2011.12, Megna was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team and finished third on the team in goals (13), assists (18) and points (31).

A native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Megna was originally signed by Pittsburgh as a free agent on August 1, 2012.

Canucks sign Philip Larsen to one-year deal

Vancouver signed defenceman Philip Larsen to a one-year, one-way contract that will carry a value of $1,025,000.

“Philip is a skilled, right shot defenceman who can anchor a power play,” said General Manager Jim Benning. “He had a terrific year in the KHL last season and we look forward to him adding offence from the blue line.”

Larsen, 26, spent the 2015.16 season with Jokerit Helsinki of the KHL where he accumulated 38 points (12-26-38) and 39 penalty minutes in 54 games. His 11 goals ranked him tied for second among KHL defencemen while his 36 points ranked him fifth. He also tallied four points (3-1-4) in four playoff games. The 6’1”, 183-pound defenceman has appeared in 125 career NHL games with Dallas and Edmonton, recording 31 points (8-23-31) and 42 penalty minutes.

On the international stage, Larsen has represented Denmark at the World Junior Championships (2008) and the World Championships (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014).

The Esbjerg, Denmark native was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a conditional fifth round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft on February 24, 2016. He was originally drafted by Dallas in the fifth round, 149th overall, at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Canucks sign Chaput, Rendulic & Billins

Canucks signed forwards Michael Chaput and Borna Rendulic as well as defenceman Chad Billins each to a one-year, two-way contract.

Chaput, 24, split the 2015.16 season between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the AHL Lake Erie Monsters. In eight games with Columbus, Chaput posted a goal and an assist (1-1-2) along with five penalty minutes. In 63 games with Lake Erie, he finished second on the team in scoring with 45 points (16-29-45) along with 31 penalty minutes. Chaput also collected eight points (2-6-8) along with with 13 penalty minutes in 17 playoff games to help the Monsters capture their first Calder Cup Championship. The Ile Bizard, Quebec native has registered eight points (2-6-8) and 28 penalty minutes in 58 career NHL games, all with the Blue Jackets.

Chaput was originally selected by Philadelphia in the third round, 89th overall, at the 2010 NHL Draft.

Rendulic, 24, split the 2015.16 season between the Colorado Avalanche and the AHL San Antonio Rampage. He appeared in three games with Colorado and 68 games with San Antonio, where he registered 38 points (16-22-38) and 41 penalty minutes. Among Rampage skaters, his 16 goals ranked second while his 22 assists and 38 points ranked him fifth. The 6-2, 200-pound forward has appeared in 14 NHL regular season games over parts of two seasons with Colorado, collecting a goal and an assist (1-1-2) along with six penalty minutes.

A native of Zagreb, Croatia, Rendulic was the first player born in Croatia to sign a contract with an NHL franchise when he was signed by Colorado as a free agent on May 19, 2014.

Billins, 27, scored 31 points (7-24-31) with Linkopings HC of the Swedish Hockey League during the 2015.16 season. A native of Marysville, Michigan, Billins has played 10 career NHL games with Calgary and has recorded three assists (0-3-3). In 141 career AHL games split with the Abbotsford Heat and Grand Rapids Griffins, Billins has registered 79 points (20-59-79) and was a Calder Cup Champion with Grand Rapids in 2013

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The 5-10, 175-pound defenceman was originally signed by Calgary as a free agent on July 5, 2013.

Source: canucks.nhl.com