Potvin

"I'm definitely excited to come and play here," said Potvin, acquired by the Canucks on Sunday from the New York Islanders. "I'm really looking forward to put last year and the beginning of this year behind me and look for a fresh start."

The 28-year-old goalie, who arrived in Vancouver on Monday after an 11-hour cross-continent journey, was acquired in a four-player, two-draft pick deal.

"I still believe I've got a lot of years in me and I'm looking forward to that," he said.

The Canucks, who also received second- and third-round picks in next year's draft, sent goalie Kevin Weekes and forwards Dave Scatchard and Bill Muckalt to the Islanders one hour before Sunday night's NHL's roster-freeze for the Christmas holiday.

Potvin, a nine-year veteran, is expected to step in immediately to take over the No. 1 job on a team that's winless in its last seven (0-6-1) and 1-9-3 in its last 13 games.

Canucks general manager Brian Burke said he waited long enough before determining that the club was in need of a proven starting goalie.

"I'm tired of starting games down 1-0 and 2-0. I put up with it for as long as I could," he said.

After leading Toronto to the conference finals in 1993 and 1994, Potvin became expendable when the Maple Leafs acquired free agent Curtis Joseph in the summer of 1998.

Potvin has struggled in New York, since being dealt last January, posting a 7-21-4 record in 33 appearances. He said it was difficult to get comfortable there considering the franchise's tight budget and trade talk that surrounded him all season.

Canucks coach Marc Crawford is happy to have a No. 1 goalie.

"I just think that when you get a goaltender that gives you an opportunity to win hockey games and comes with the attitude that Felix comes with, then it's going to be very favorable for our club," he said.