Canucks sign forward Mason Raymond

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -The Vancouver Canucks have avoided arbitration with Mason Raymond by signing the forward to a two-year, $5.1 million contract.

Raymond set career highs with 25 goals and 53 points last season when he earned $760,000. He filed for arbitration and was on his way to a hearing in Toronto on Monday when the new deal was worked out.

Raymond will receive $2.5 million next season and $2.6 million in 2011-12.

Raymond, originally picked in the second round by the Canucks in 2005, has 45 goals and 97 points in 203 career NHL games.

The deal puts the Canucks more than $2.6 million over this year s $59.4 million salary cap.