Canucks re-sign restricted free agent winger to two-year extension
The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed restricted free agent winger Nils Höglander to a new two year contract extension. The deal is worth $1 million in the first year and $1.2 million in the second.
Höglander split last season between the NHL Canucks and the club's American Hockey League affiliate in Abbotsford. He registered three goals and nine points in 25 NHL games and had 14 goals and 32 points in 45 AHL contests.
Höglander was also a point a game player in six AHL playoff outings scoring three times and adding three assists.
"Nils learned a lot this past season, especially playing meaningful playoff games in Abbotsford," said Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin in a team-issued press release. "It's not easy to start the year in the NHL and then be sent down to the American League, but we were impressed with the way he took that challenge head on. He worked hard on his game and give credit to Jeremy Colliton, his staff, and our development team as well for helping Nils improve on things during the year. This experience should really help Nils compete for a spot on our team at training camp this fall."
Because Höglander broke into the NHL as a freshly-turned 20-year-old in the All Canadian Division season of 2021, it's easy to forget that he is still just 22-years-old and won't turn 23 until December. And despite spending the bulk of last season in the minors, remarkably Höglander is eighth among the 2019 draft class in terms of NHL games played with 141. His 26 NHL goals are 10th from that draft class and his 54 points are 12th among his peer group.
It's also important to note that Höglander's time with the Canucks spans one of the most chaotic periods in franchise history. He broke into the league with Travis Green as head coach. He then played for Bruce Boudreau to finish the 2021-22 season and to start last season. And now the Bocktrast, Sweden native will try to impress Rick Tocchet and a new coaching staff at training camp in September.
With an average annual value of $1.1 million, Höglander represents the distinct possibility of a value contract for the Canucks if he can regain his rookie form when he scored 13 times and registered 27 points in 56 games. That season he finished fourth on the Canucks in goals and fifth on the team in points. He was also fourth in even-strength scoring -- with 26 of his 27 points coming at 5-on-5 -- just a single point back of both JT Miller and Bo Horvat in that category.
It will be interesting to see what last season in the minors did to light a fire under Höglander to prove he can be an every day NHL'er who can help the Canucks.