Mattias Ohlund is the best defenceman the Canucks have ever had

I wasn't too worried about Ohlund's contract renewal but I'm seeing things that I don't like.

First of all, negotiation is an art form. It takes skill, balls and patience to play well because there are definite risks to take. The other side has to see that you are able to walk away. Ohlie's situation is hard to read because both sides are well skilled at negotiation tactics.

If I were management, I would look towards ensuring that there would be skill and consistency for the future. Bieksa's and Edler's contracts are in place so..
Check.

Next would be to quietly show that every player is replacable. Throughout the year, Ohlund's ice time has been played with. As with all experienced employees, management uses their experience, work ethic and skill to train newbies and gradually wean the organization's dependance on them.
Check.

As for public backlash, after having dealt with the departure of the most loved Canuck of all time, Trevor Linden, it looks as though the Canucks would be willing to let the PR department handle Ohlund's departure as well.

I see the signs and I don't like it. Ohlund is not replacable. He's skilled at both ends, well rounded, hard working, physical and dependable. He's loyal and has proven that he can be a defenceman in the new NHL and essential in the playoffs. In the words of Jim Robson, "I think Mattias Ohlund is the best defenceman the Canucks have ever had."

Some more quotes on the awesomeness of Mattias Ohlund:
John McGourty's article on NHL.com:

Nonis was told that opponents and former teammates speak in glowing terms about Ohlund. One departed Canucks defenseman recently insisted he is one of the top ten defensemen in the NHL. He plays the position so smoothly, he rarely gets noticed.

"I would agree he is among the 10 best defensemen," Nonis said. "He's so quiet. He's not a guy that draws attention to himself. He just goes about his business. He's a very good defenseman that we use against all the top players in the NHL. He's also a guy who puts up decent point totals.

NHL.com

Ohlund, 30, is the complete package: A 6-foot-2, 220-pounder with great skating ability, strength and anticipation who has a cannon for a shot. Ohlund gained a reputation as injury-prone early in his NHL career, but that thought should be dispelled. Ohlund has missed only four games in three of his past four NHL seasons, sandwiched around his 59-game season in 2002-03. Ohlund led the Canucks last season with 25:40 minutes of average ice time, just ahead of Salo's 24:29.

Teammates, former teammates and rivals speak with great respect for Ohlund, the 13th overall pick of the 1994 draft. An eight-year veteran, Ohlund has played most of his career in Jovanovski's shadow, although he was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy in his rookie season. Fans last season voted him the best Canucks' defenseman and at age 30, he's ready to take an NHL leadership role. He set an NHL career high with eight power-play goals. Ohlund has 67 goals and 178 assists for 245 points in 558 NHL games.

Rinkside - Lukas Ackroyd:

Whether doling out big hits or delivering tape-to-tape passes, Ohlund simply gets the job done.

“He’s so solid,” said teammate and fellow Swede Daniel Sedin. “He rarely makes a mistake. You know what you’re going to get from him every game. Among the top Swedish NHL defensemen, he’s right up there."