Alex Burrows scored the only Vancouver goal in a 4-1 loss to San Jose Sunday night. The rough-and-tumble winger delivered a very Burrows-like performance in this contest as he registered a plus-1 rating, six shots on goal as well as six penalty minutes. This is exactly why you drafted him.

Alex Burrows centered Christopher Higgins and Jannik Hansen. Burrows moved off the first line as coach Alain Vigneault moved Zack Kassian with the Sedin twins. The Canucks are lacking at center with the injury to Ryan Kesler so look for Burrows to get a big chance, especially if Kassian clicks on the top line.

Alex Burrows would be willing to play on any line for the Vancouver Canucks. Burrows has been a fixture on the right side of the top line, alongside the Sedin twins, but wants to win and would be willing to help the team whatever way he can. "Honestly, I probably have the best job playing with the twins, but if I have to go down and play with Kes [Ryan Kesler] or Lappy [Maxim Lapierre] or Manny [Malhotra], you're always playing with someone who can play, because we have such good depth on our team," Burrows said. "Kass [Zack Kassian] in the minors is showing flashes of what he can bring to the NHL and other guys who didn't have good years can rebound stronger. I'm sure with everybody pushing, we'll be able to do the right things and find the right time to play our best hockey." This would have been a more likely scenario if the Canucks had signed Shane Doan in the off-season, but Doan went back to Phoenix, so expect Burrows to play most of the time with Henrik and Daniel Sedin.

Alex Burrows confirmed that his top priority all along has been to remain in Vancouver. "I never really thought about leaving. All along I always wanted to stay in Vancouver and as soon as the management showed interest for an extension, for me it was a no-brainer," Burrows said. "I'm glad that my agent (Paul Corbeil) was able to work it out with management." Burrows was wise to stay in Vancouver as there is likely no better situation in the league than being between the dynamic Sedin Twins.

Alex Burrows has agreed to a four-year/$18 million contract extension. Burrows has scored at least 28 goals in each of his last four seasons. As long as he continues to get a healthy amount of playing time with the Sedin twins, he should be a safe bet to net around 30 goals and at least 50 points. Of course, that projection assumes that he stays healthy and we have a full 82-game campaign. With the current CBA set to expire on Saturday, it remains to be seen how many games - if any - will be played in 2012-13.

According to Alex Burrows' agent, Paul Corbeil, contract talks are underway between the Canucks and his client on an extension. Burrows will see his current contract, which pays him $2 million, expire at the end of the 2012-12 campaign and he'll probably get a healthy raise. He has netted 117 goals over the past four seasons and has enjoyed excellent chemistry with the Sedin twins.

With one year remaining on each of their contracts, the Canucks have important decisions to make with regards unrestricted free agents-to-be Alexander Edler and Alex Burrows. It's likely that the Canucks will be able to bring back the 26-year-old Edler, who will make $3.25 million and had a career-high 49 points last season, but 31-year-old Burrows may end up being too expensive. The forward has averaged just under 30 goals in the past four seasons and will make a bargain $2 million this year. There's a good chance Burrows could easily command doouble that on a four- or five-year deal next offseason.