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Canucks GM Benning will 'continue to explore options' for trade involving Kevin Bieksa

Kim Klement / USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Bieksa remains a member of the Vancouver Canucks - for now.

The defenseman was shopped to the San Jose Sharks at the NHL draft, but wasn't able to command what general manager Jim Benning deemed to be fair compensation, thereby killing the deal.

Bieksa, however, could still be moved at some point during the offseason, Benning indicated to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.

"Going in, the market place dictates that Johnny Boychuk went for two second-round picks," Benning said, referring to Boston's trade with the Islanders in October 2014. "Kevin is a little bit older. That’s what our asking price was (a second-round pick this year). I don’t think it’s too much, I think it’s fair. That’s what we were trying to get if we were going to move Kevin."

Bieksa, 34, has one year remaining on a contract that will see him earn $4.8 million in 2015-16.

In 60 games this past season, he scored four goals and added 10 assists with a 48.5 Corsi For rating at even strength.

"He’s still part of our team. We’ll continue to explore options and see where it goes," Benning said.

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