Mason Raymond (Photo: maseyevanraymond/tumblr)

Before we get started, I just wanted to congratulate the LA Kings on becoming the Stanley Cup Champions 2012. Also note that this is the third year the Vancouver Canucks have lost to the Stanley Cup Champions, having lost to the Blackhawks in 2010, the Bruins in 2011 and this year, to the LA Kings.

But enough about that, let’s get down to business.

Welcome to the Off Season.

Today’s latest news tells us that the Canucks have gone to arbitration with left winger Mason Raymond.

Slated to become a restricted free agent on July the 1st, Mason Raymond ended the 2011-2012 season with 10 goals and 10 assists and a total plus-minus of 4.

And since the Canucks have decided to go to arbitration with him, should the 26 year old decide to stay with us (and from the looks of it, he might stay with us), his contract won’t quite be the same.

And according to Laurence Gilman, the VP of  hockey operations for the Canucks, this is “due to Raymond’s dip in production over the last few seasons.” (x)

The reworking of said contract could also mean that Vancouver’s resident speedster could be earning less than he did this year with us.

Laurence Gilman continues on to say that:

“This is about staying competitive in a salary cap system and it allows us to operate as efficiently as possible. Mason is an important part of our team, one that we clearly see as part of our future going forward, if he weren’t part of the solution, we would not have tendered a qualifying offer and would have let him go as an unrestricted free agent.” (x)

However, we must also remember that having suffered from a back injury during the Stanley Cup Playoffs 2011, Mason Raymond isn’t quite the same player anymore.

So here’s to hoping the Canucks come to an agreement with the left winger and that said left winger will stay with us for another year.

Until next time Canuckleheads. Until next time.