Restricted free agent receiver Cameron Meredith is the newest member of a New Orleans Saints offense that ranked second in the NFL last season.

Sean Payton said Wednesday that Meredith has signed with New Orleans after the Chicago Bears declined to match an offer from the Saints. Meredith's agent Peyton Barber Jersey , Cliff Brady, said the Bears declined to match the two-year offer worth about $10 million.

The Bears had until Wednesday afternoon to decide on whether to keep their 2016 receiving leader, who missed all of last season with a major knee injury.

The 25-year-old Meredith has played two NFL seasons. He caught 66 passes for 888 yards and four touchdowns two seasons ago, when his position coach was Curtis Johnson, who is now with the Saints.

Last season, Meredith tore his left anterior cruciate ligament during a preseason game against Tennessee.

Meredith joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois State. Because the Bears offered him a low restricted free-agent tender commensurate with an undrafted player, Chicago will not receive any compensation from the Saints in the form of draft picks.

The 6-foot-3 Meredith now moves to an offense led by record-setting quarterback Drew Brees and which ranked fifth in yards passing last season, with 261.8 yards per game, as well as second overall, with 391.2 yards per game.

He also becomes part of a team that came within seconds of advancing to last season's NFC title game.

During the NFL meetings in March Tre'Davious White Jersey , Payton said adding a receiver ranked high on New Orleans' offseason wish list. The Saints also brought in veteran free agent tight end Benjamin Watson late last month to bolster the passing game.

Top receiver Michael Thomas is returning, along with veteran receiver Ted Ginn, a prime deep threat. It remains to be seen whether restricted free agent Willie Snead will return to the Saints as he is able to solicit offer sheets from other clubs.

The addition of Meredith also could have draft implications for the Saints, who continue to seek a player who can help with the pass rush, particularly from the edge opposite All-Pro end Cameron Jordan.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Vancouver Canucks were eliminated from the playoffs several weeks ago, but they still have something to play for Thursday night.

The Canucks (30-40-10) will strive to earn a win against the Phoenix Coyotes (29-40-11) as twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin play their final home for the only NHL club they have known.

“We definitely want to make their last game here memorable and (we) want to try and get a win for them,” rookie Canucks winger Adam Gaudette told reporters Wednesday after an optional practice.

A sellout crowd is expected for the second straight game, with tickets again fetching premium prices, after the Sedins announced their retirement Monday. Daniel Sedin told reporters that Thursday’s contest will stand out more in their minds than the boisterous scene Tuesday Javorius Allen Jersey , when the Canucks lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in a shootout in which both Sedins participated.

“It’s a chance for us to thank the fans, it’s more that than anything else,” Daniel Sedin said. “Time flies. It will be over before we know it. We’re going to enjoy it and treat it like a normal game. (Thursday) will be more emotional. I think that’s when you realize … you’ve probably taken your last steps on the ice. It will be special.”

Several tributes are planned for the 37-year-olds during the game as their parents, two older brothers and other friends and former teammates join the crowd.

Among other special happenings, the club’s nightly 50/50 will start at C$400,000 and lights outside Rogers Arena and within Vancouver’s city limits will shine blue and yellow (Sweden’s colors) in tribute to the Swedish siblings.

The Sedins’ teammates plan to enjoy the occasion, too.

“It’s the end of an era,” center Bo Horvat, who is a strong candidate to replace Henrik Sedin as captain next season, told reporters. “It’s the end of an amazing career for those guys.

“To be part of it is really special for me.”

Although the Canucks and Coyotes will miss the playoffs Dan Fouts Jersey , the game — the second-last for each club — holds some significance in the standings. With a win, Arizona can move a point ahead of the Canucks and leave Vancouver last in the Western Conference. Thursday’s result could also affect the teams’ 2018 draft position, depending on how lottery balls fall.

The Canucks and Coyotes have been playing well, much to the chagrin of fans who want them to tank during the stretch run and improve their draft hopes. Vancouver has won five of seven games, while Arizona has two straight victories and six in the past eight outings.

The Canucks might need to worry about one of their former players. Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton, who was drafted by the Canucks and spent most of his time in their farm system, has been on a scoring tear lately.

He scored the winning goal and added an assist in Arizona’s 4-1 victory over Calgary on Tuesday and has 10 goals since the all-star break — after scoring only once in his first 42 games.

“I’m playing a lot more confident — using my skating, using my shot,” the 28-year-old, who is due to become an unrestricted free agent this summer Kelechi Osemele Jersey , told reporters. “(I) had a rough year last year with injuries and then sitting out (as a healthy scratch.) So the beginning of the year, I was still trying to get back to my game, but I think I’m back there now.”

Connauton might see more playing time than usual Thursday. Fellow Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who was injured in Calgary, will not be in the lineup. The Coyotes recalled Dakota Mermis from the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League to fill in for him.

Chychrun suffered an undisclosed lower-body injury when he was tripped from behind by Calgary’s Michael Frolik. Arizona coach Rick Tocchet took exception to Frolik’s action.

“I know he’s not a dirty player, but it’s a dirty play,” Tocchet told reporters. “I don’t like it at all.”

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