"When the Vancouver Canucks conducted their exit interviews on June 17, hard-rock defenceman Kevin Bieksa hinted strongly he had no plans to abandon Canada's West Coast and seek his fortune elsewhere in the NHL.

He backed up those words Monday by agreeing to a new five-year contract worth $23 million. The cap hit will be $4.6 million a season, putting Bieksa a nose ahead of blue-line partner Dan Hamhuis, who makes $4.5 million. Both are under contract through the 2015-16 season.

The Canucks did not confirm the signing Monday but an announcement is expected Tuesday. It's believed the contract is front-end loaded and begins at $7 million, followed by $4.5 million, $5 million, $4 million and $2.5 million. Bieksa also received a no-trade clause in his deal.

Abrasive centre Maxim Lapierre, who was about to become a restricted free agent, has also reportedly agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $2 million.

"I'm not a money guy," Bieksa said in his June 17 session with reporters. "I know about money, I understand its value, but it's not my main priority. I think everybody takes less to play here. It's such a great organization that you want to be here. So if you want to be here, you have to take less, that's just the culture."

Bieksa's agreement still leaves the Canucks with three other defencemen heading to the marketplace July 1, most notably 50-point man Christian Ehrhoff. Veteran Sami Salo and depth player Andrew Alberts also stand to become unrestricted free agents on Friday.

Bieksa, 30, was selected 151st overall in the 2001 entry draft and has been with the big club on a full-time basis since the 2006-07 season. He collected 22 points and was a plus-32 in 66 games during the 2010-11 regular season. He added 10 points in 25 playoff games."