Oct 8, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks left wing Alex Burrows (14) celebrates his goal with left wing Chris Higgins (20) against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The Vancouver Canucks have reportedly made a decision on veterans Chris Higgins and Alexandre Burrows.

Vancouver Canucks forward Chris Higgins was demoted to the AHL Utica Comets in the 2015-16 campaign, and he is expected to be bought out this week, as per TSN’s Matthew Sekeres.

My understanding is #Canucks are bringing Alex Burrows back for next season but plan to buy out Chris Higgins this week. #CanucksOn1040 — Matthew Sekeres (@mattsekeres) June 26, 2016

Higgins was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2002, but spent the past five seasons with the Canucks. In 773 games, he recorded 176 goals and 354 points for the Canadiens, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers and the Canucks.

Now 33 years old, Higgins is not a part of Vancouver’s future plans, which became clear when he was demoted to the AHL. In 22 games for the Comets, Higgins had nine goals and 13 points. There is still some scoring ability there, but it is not enough to warrant a spot in the NHL.

Per GeneralFanager.com, the Canucks will save $1.67 million in salary cap space for the 2016-17 season, but will keep $833,333 in the books until the end of 2017-18.

Unlike Higgins, the Canucks are expected to bring back Alex Burrows. The 35-year-old winger carries a $4.5 million cap hit until the end of this season and was rumored to be a buyout target as well.

Burrows was undrafted and worked his way up through the ECHL and AHL. In 14 years with the Canucks organization, he appeared in 837 games and recorded 203 goals and 398 points. His career-best season was 2009-10, when he scored 35 goals and added 32 assists for 67 points.

Like Higgins, Burrows has started to struggle to score at the NHL level. However, thanks to his hard-working, gritty style and sound two-way game, he is still a valuable part of the team. Burrows is a leader who can mentor and protect the younger players, which Vancouver has a lot of right now.

For the upcoming season, Burrows won’t get a top-six role anymore, but he will be a good depth player. His $4.5 million cap hit might hurt the team in free agency, but a buyout would only save $2 million this year and cost $1 million for the 2017-18 season.

As long as he can still play and be a leader for the younger players, keeping Burrows is a smart decision. The Canucks could bring Burrows back in at a (much) cheaper price next summer, when Burrows becomes an unrestricted free agent.