The Canucks wasted little time getting pen to paper on a cope with one in every of their new acquisitions. The workforce announced that they’ve signed defenseman Marcus Pettersson to a six-year extension that may carry a cap cost of $5.5M. GM Patrik Allvin launched the next assertion:
“In simply a few video games, Marcus has already proven us the kind of management, poise and character that we would like in a prime 4 defenceman,” stated Allvin. “He has a chilled affect on the ice, makes use of his lengthy attain and hockey smarts to interrupt up performs and has an excellent first go to assist us create extra offensively. We’re extraordinarily glad to get this deal executed and sit up for working with him in each the quick time period and long run.”
In fact, Allvin’s familiarity with the 28-year-old is far more than simply a few video games. He was with Pittsburgh on the time that then-GM Jim Rutherford (who now could be in Vancouver’s entrance workplace) acquired him so they’re fairly acquainted with what Pettersson brings to the desk. That familiarity undoubtedly performed a task within the Canucks flipping the first-round decide they acquired within the J.T. Miller commerce final week (together with Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, and Melvin Fernstrom) to Pittsburgh for Pettersson and Drew O’Connor.
Pettersson has performed in 49 video games this season between Pittsburgh and Vancouver, potting three targets and 15 assists together with 86 blocks and 60 hits whereas logging greater than 22 minutes an evening of ice time. That has him at a 30-point tempo which might match his career-high offensively from final season; that uptick in manufacturing actually didn’t damage his worth as he was heading towards his first run at unrestricted free company this summer season which is now on maintain for a very long time.
For his profession, Pettersson has performed in 493 NHL video games over components of eight seasons between Anaheim, Pittsburgh, and now Vancouver. After struggling early in his tenure with the Penguins, he has since established himself as a authentic top-four blueliner for the final three years. That monitor document was ok for Vancouver to focus on him and waste little time locking him up by way of the 2030-31 season.
The deal represents a pleasant elevate for Pettersson. He’s within the closing 12 months of a five-year contract signed again in 2020, one which carries a cap hit of simply over $4M. He’ll add practically $1.5M per season to that quantity now whereas additionally touchdown some further safety. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Interval stories (X link) that Pettersson could have a full no-move clause within the first three seasons of the contract. Within the closing three years, his commerce safety will come within the type of a 15-team no-trade clause.
With this signing, Vancouver now has a bit below $76M in commitments for subsequent season, per PuckPedia. Included in that’s practically $27M in spending on their prime 5 blueliners with Quinn Hughes, Filip Hronek, Tyler Myers, and Carson Soucy all signed by way of no less than 2025-26 as properly, with the latter now in commerce speculation. That ought to solely intensify with Pettersson now assured to be sticking round for the lengthy haul.
