Ruslan Fedotenko returning to the Penguins

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VANCOUVER - The money was a factor, but what also convinced free-agent forward Mikael Samuelsson to sign with the Vancouver Canucks was the team's potential to be a Stanley Cup contender.

Samuelsson, who won a Cup with the Detroit Red Wings, agreed to a three-year NHL deal worth US$7.5 million yesterday. The six-foot-one, 205-pound right-winger also expects to have an increased offensive role with the Canucks.

"It was a bunch of reasons, not only good money," Samuelsson said during a conference call from Sweden. "Obviously that was the key, I shouldn't lie.

"They have a good team going and I think my role can be a little different ... from Detroit. It's a good opportunity for me."

While Samuelsson decided to leave the Red Wings, Ruslan Fedotenko is returning to the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

Fedotenko, who had 16 goals and 39 points in 65 games last season, agreed to a US$1.8-million, one-year deal.

The 30-year-old joined Pittsburgh as a free agent last summer and won his second NHL championship. He also won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.

In 597 career games with Philadelphia, Tampa, Pittsburgh and the Islanders, Fedotenko has 139 goals and 278 points.

Samuelsson spent the past four seasons in Detroit, winning the Stanley Cup in 2008 and falling one game short this year.

He also was a member of the Swedish team that won the gold medal at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics.

The 32-year-old has played 466 career NHL games, scoring 86 goals and 208 points.

The Canucks are a team that has won its division three times over the last five seasons played, but haven't advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 1994.

Samuelsson likes the Canucks skill level and hopes to bring some playoff experience.

Bringing Samuelsson into the fold was the Canuck's second major signing this week.

On Wednesday, the Sedins agreed to matching US$30.5-million, five-year contract extensions just prior to becoming unrestricted free agents.

Henning said Samuelsson's history as a Stanley Cup winner and Olympic champion are a bonus.

In other NHL moves, the New York Rangers signed Tyler Arnason to a two-way contract.

The 30-year-old spent last season with the Colorado Avalanche, scoring five goals and 22 points in 71 games.

In Phoenix, the Coyotes signed defenceman Shaun Heshka to a one-year contract Friday.

In other news, Anaheim forward Teemu Selanne told a Finnish newspaper that he will retire from the NHL after the upcoming season.