Bure To Return

The Vancouver Canucks seem sure star winger Pavel Bure is returning to the NHL team. General manager Pat Quinn announced through the team public relations department that Bure has agreed to rejoin the Canucks.

Bure has been absent from team workouts since the NHL lockout ended last week. The 60-goal right-winger claimed he was owed wages under terms of the new contract he signed last summer.

The Canucks withheld payment during the 103-day work stoppage on directions from the league office in New York.

Quinn talked with Ron Salcer, Bure’s Los Angeles-based agent, and they apparently agreed Bure should rejoin teammates in Vancouver.

Florida Panthers defenseman Ed Jovanovski, the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft last June, will be left in juniors the entire season.