With all the trade rumours swirling around that Alex Burrows was on the trade block, those rumours can now be put to rest as the Canucks signed the winger to a four year extension. The extension will keep Burrows in a Canucks uniform through the 2012-13 season, although he did not get a no trade clause within his contract. With 18 goals and 17 assists in 63 games this season, Burrows has exceeded expectations and has even been given first line minutes along the Sedin twins.

Alex BurrowsIn his fourth NHL season, Burrows was a steal of a deal making under $500,000 and contributing in all aspects for the team. Now with him locked up for four more years at $2 million a piece this may take a bit more pressure of the winger, although many would argue the "big" contract will add more. Generally known for his checking and agitator style, Burrows is on pace to destroy his personal record for points as he has already passed his 31 point total from last year, and if he stays hot has a (long) shot at getting 50 points by the end of the season.

With the deadline only being about 48 hours away, many are looking at the Canucks to make a couple of moves to put this team over the top and make them a legitimate cup contender. But with Mike Gillis's refusal to give up high draft picks and young prospects for a rental player, don't look for the Canucks to land a big name, unless they have some contract left, or if they make a hockey move for a player that will stay on with the team past this season.

So with Gillis unwilling to part with prospects or high picks, here is a list of potential roster players that may be moved on their own or in a package come the March 4 deadline:

After being placed on waivers by the Philidelphia Flyers, the Canucks picked up Finnish defencemen Ossi Vaananen on Feb 27/09. Vaananen who spent most of this year in the Swedish Elite League is not known for his offensive upside as his carrer high in points was a measely 16 which was back in 2000-01, with the Pheonix Coyotes. With the deadline less than a week away, many speculate this may be a precursor to another move, however I cant see Vaananen being anyhing more than a depth guy in case of injury down the stretch.

With Rob Davidson and Lawrence Nycholat in the press box for the Canucks, the team now has a ton of depth on the Mattias Ohlund - How long will he be a Canuck?backend, and it only makes sense that one of the Canucks top 4 defencemen may be available at the trade deadline. The name that comes to mind right away is Mattias Ohlund. Ohlund being the longest serving Canuck to date, will 11 season under his belt, losing his leadership in the room and play on the ice would be a huge blow to the Canucks.

Theres been a lot of talk lately of the Canucks looking to get a puck moving D-man before the trade dealine to make a bug push to make the playoffs and to make some noise in the playoffs. Rumours of Jay Bouwmeester coming to the West Coast have escalated over the last couple weeks, and also Mathieu Schneider's name was also been thrown around by local media and others. He had all the qualifications, UFA puck moving D-man from a team not making the playoffs, what more did the Canucks need.

But alas the Candiens in a desperate move have snatched up the aging Schnieder (39 years old) and paid a king's ransom for his services as well. Mathieu SchneiderGiving up a second round pick in this years draft, along with a third round pick in next years draft, it is an understatement to say Bob Gainey is in panic mode and the Thrashers took advantage of the wounded duck that is the Montreal Canadiens.

With the trade deadline less than a month away for the NHL, many teams in the upcoming week need to decide if they are in playoff contention or if its time to unload some unrestricted free agents and get some youth and draft picks in return. And Canucks are no different. After coming over a long losing streak which saw them have a horrible month of January, the Canucks now have shown some life with a 3 game win streak and have jumped back into the playoff picture.

Even though at the end of tonight the Canucks would sneak into the playoffs at the 8th spot in the West, this team is another losing streak away from being far far away from the playoffs.