Canucks match Blues' offer, keep Bernier

Last update: July 9, 2008 - 6:57 AM

The Vancouver Canucks retained forward Steve Bernier on Tuesday by quickly matching the one-year, $2.5 million offer sheet the young forward signed with St. Louis. The Blues tried to lure away Bernier, 23, a restricted free agent, only four days after the Canucks acquired him in a trade with Buffalo.

Vancouver had seven days either to match or accept a second-round pick in the 2009 draft from St. Louis -- less than the third-round pick in 2009 and second-round pick in 2010 they sent to the Sabres to acquire him Friday.

• Center Brendan Morrison, who has had 50-plus points in six of the past seven NHL seasons, signed a one-year contract with Anaheim. Morrison, 32, was limited to 39 games with the Canucks last season because of injuries.

• Ottawa signed free-agent defenseman Jason Smith for two years. The 34-year-old Smith, a 14-year veteran, was captain of the Philadelphia Flyers last season and captain of the Edmonton Oilers the five previous seasons.

• Tampa Bay signed free-agent forward Mark Recchi for one year. Recchi, 40, a seven-time All-Star, had 14 goals and 48 points in 72 games with Pittsburgh and Atlanta in 2007-08.

The Lightning also signed unrestricted free agent Brandon Bochenski for two years. The Blaine native and former North Dakota standout played in 40 games with Boston, Anaheim and Nashvile last season.

• Montreal re-signed goaltender Jaroslav Halak to a two-year $1.55 million contract.

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