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“I’m not going to show up on the scoresheet, but I can definitely make my presence known,” said Gudbranson. “When I’m calm, I’m very studious of the game and it’s evolving. I’ve had conversations about how I’m going to be better in the West — that’s my style of play — and using my body. I’m a big, strong guy. I play the game physically and I’m hoping that works to my advantage.”

What will work for Dorsett is being what the club banked on in a generous four-year, $10.6 million extension that has three years remaining at a $2.5 million annual cap hit. It was quite the commitment for a player who turns 30 in December and is being counted on to be an inspiration to younger players and an irritant to the opposition. Dorsett has never scored more than a dozen NHL goals, but played in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final with the New York Rangers.

“I’ll do what I’ve always done — play hard — and let the chips fall where they may,” said Dorsett. “I’ll do whatever the team needs me to do and anything to win. If I have to play on the fourth line and be in more of a defensive role, that’s fine. Left side. Right side. It doesn’t matter.

“Obviously, there’s always pressure to win and even more in a Canadian market. But sometimes that’s a good thing and I like it. It keeps you honest and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

If Dorsett’s sphere of influence works on the 20-year-old Virtanen, he thinks the Canucks may have something special in their 2014 first-round draft choice.

“He isn’t afraid to get into the mix,” said Dorsett. “We played a handful of games together toward the end of the season and I love playing with the kid. It’s how he can carry the puck out, how he puts pressure on the defence and how he can back people off.”

OVERTIME — Henrik Sedin has been named captain in replace of the injured Henrik Zetterberg and Daniel Sedin will be an alternate captain for Sweden in the World Cup of Hockey.

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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