The Vancouver Canucks entered this off-season with serious questions about the future of their core.
Brock Boeser was a pending UFA. Elias Pettersson’s no-move clause didn’t kick in until July 1. Thatcher Demko and Conor Garland had one year left, while captain Quinn Hughes has two.
In a matter of hours, the Canucks look locked in – and Boeser isn’t going anywhere.
Canucks GM Patrik Allvin agreed to terms with Boeser on a new seven-year deal at a $7.25-million cap hit. The announcement came after the start of NHL free agency, when Boeser had the chance to sign closer to where he grew up with the Minnesota Wild or really anywhere else. After some discussions about the Canucks looking to trade Boeser at the trade deadline and moments where it seemed that an extension couldn’t be agreed on, the team and player got it done.
Earlier in the day, the Canucks announced contract extensions for Demko and Garland as well, which will begin in the 2026-27 campaign.
Demko received the richest contract in terms of average annual value at $8.5 million per season on a three-year deal. Garland signed a six-year deal at a $6 million average annual value.
These transactions are good news for a team that went through a lot this past season.
They missed the playoffs after a Western Conference final appearance the year before. Pettersson was in the headlines because of a reported rift with then-Canuck J.T. Miller, then he was in the headlines because his production fell to 45 points in 64 games. This came after two campaigns where Pettersson recorded 89 points and 102 points.
He also dealt with some injury issues. The combination of issues prompted a whole lot of trade speculation regarding the center, who has seven years left on his contract with an $11.6-million cap hit.
These three extensions could be a hint from Vancouver’s front office that the squad can bounce back to where it believes it belongs and that this past season – which included multiple injury issues, cold streaks, and a lack of positive momentum – was a blip in an upward trajectory.
In other ways, this could be a fresh start for Vancouver with new coach Adam Foote.
With that, former Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes had a tough season in terms of his health. He was battling a lower-body injury in the middle of the season, which ultimately forced him to miss the 4 Nations Face-Off. Demko missed a large chunk of the season as well. Healthy seasons from them can make a difference.
Many of the concerns surrounding the Canucks in the past few months are addressed. Now, the Canucks could be in a position to get back to the playoffs next year and in the long term.
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