Welcome to the NHL Free Agency 2012.

As you saw earlier, the Vancouver Canucks lost an amazing defence man in free agent Sami Salo to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Unfortunately, we also lost another defence man, in Aaron Rome.

Aaron Rome (Photo: flawlessswedes/tumblr)

Aaron Rome played 43 games this past season with the Vancouver Canucks and ended his 3rd and final season as a Canuck with a total of 10 points and +/- of -4.

Aaron Rome is to start the 2012-2013 season with the Dallas Stars, having signed a 3 year $4.5 million deal with them.

Congratulations Aaron Rome and good luck in Dallas!

Fortunately for the Vancouver Canucks, we have ourselves a new addition to our defensive ranks.

His name is Jason Garrison.

Jason Garrison (Photo: violentdeke/tumblr)

His name is Jason Garrison. He’s 27 years old, he’s a defenceman and he comes to us from the Florida Panthers.

He played 77 games with the Florida Panthers this past season and coined a total of 33 points and a +/- of 6.

During the Panthers ‘ short playoff run, Garrison had a total of 3 points and a +/- of -2.

Fun Facts:

• Jason Garrison is from White Rock, British Columbia.
• He signed a 6 year multi-million dollar deal with the Vancouver Canucks.
• He knows David Booth.

And on behalf of the fans of the Vancouver Canucks, I hereby welcome you, Jason Garrison to the Vancouver Canucks.

Best of luck! And we’ll see you next year!

Sami Salo (Photo: theyslayedthedragon/tumblr)

Pardon me.

I am in a bit of a shock.

No. I am in shock.

Welcome to the NHL Free Agency 2012.

And I have just learned that 38 year old defenceman and free agent Sami Salo has decided to not sign with the Canucks, but rather, sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sami Salo has signed a 2 year, $3.75 million/year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

He ended the 2011-2012 season with the Vancouver Canucks with 25 points and a +/- of 7 and ended the playoffs with 0 points and a +/- of  -3.

Congratulations Sami Salo.

Wish you could’ve stayed with us a little longer (and maybe even have won a Cup) and we wish you all of the best in Tampa Bay.