"Both sides propose a salary based on an empirical search of data that garners a group of comparable players and he'll go in and make an argument that he feels he's worth a certain level and we will argue the inverse, we will argue that he is worth another certain level, and the arbitrator has the ability to choose our number which will obviously be lower, his number or anywhere in between," Gilman said.

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Kyle Wellwood makes his pitch for a substantial pay raise at today's arbitration hearing in Toronto, while the Canucks will point out his flaws.

Photograph by : Jeff Vinnick, Getty Images, Files

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Even once what Wellwood will be paid this season is settled, there are questions about just where he fits with the Canucks. Cody Hodgson, the team's impressive first-round pick in 2008, is expected to make the team and seems destined to be the Canucks' third-line centre this season. And with Ryan Johnson pencilled in as the fourth-line centre and Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler seemingly solidly entrenched as the first- and second-line centres, Wellwood doesn't seem to fit unless he moves over to play on the wing.

And as for Morrison, that mouse analogy suggesting he was riding the coat-tails of former linemates Bertuzzi and Naslund, didn't hurt him. Morrison ended up winning his case and earned a $1-million raise.

ICE CHIPS: The Canucks signed forward Kellan Tochkin to a free-agent contract Monday. The undrafted 18-year-old from Abbotsford scored 20 goals and 53 assists in 72 games with the WHL's Everett Silvertips last season.

bziemer@vancouversun.com