Bieksa signs with Canucks, takes the ice for game day practice

Kevin Bieksa is back home where be belongs...

The retired NHL defenseman turned Sportsnet analyst signed a one day contract with the Vancouver Canucks today so that he can officially retire as a member of the Canucks.

Check out KB3 signings his deal this morning with Canucks GM Patrik Alvin:

But here's the thing... did you really think Bieksa was just gonna sign a contract and then kick up his feet? That's not his style. Immediately after inking the deal Bieksa laced 'em up one last time and joined his former team for their game day skate this morning.

I mean... just look at this guy:

Does this guy fit in or what?

In all seriousness, I think Bieksa could 100% earn a roster spot on this team. With all due respect to the Canucks' D corps, do we really think that the likes of Kyle Burroughs or Guillaume Brisebois are better than a 41 year old Kevin Bieksa? If nothing else, he'll provide the team with some veteran leadership and outside of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Luke Schenn, the Canucks don't have much leadership on their back end.

Of course, this is just fantasy thinking and there's no way Bieksa will ever suit up again for an NHL team, despite what I think.

Tonight though will be an absolutely electric atmosphere at Rogers Arena as the Canucks pay tribute to one of the most popular players in franchise history. Bieksa spoke to the media following today's game day skate and, as you might expect, he had nothing but positive things to say.

Check it out:

“This organization has always treated me first class… it’s a weird feeling to describe but coming back is like being home.”

“I didn’t want to preach to the players, I’m not their coach, but I just talked about the culture. The thing I’m most proud of isn’t the Finals or the Presidents’ Trophies, it’s the cultures we had.”

- Kevin Bieksa

Of course, he think he's still got it:

“Don’t know if you saw me out there for morning skate, but I dominated.”

- Kevin Bieksa

Put him in, Coach!