The Vancouver Canucks announced on Saturday that they have agreed to an eight-year extension with their All-Star forward Elias Pettersson.
The news comes after weeks of speculations about Pettersson’s future. He was set to enter restricted free agency after the 2023-24 campaign, and there was a loud chatter that the Canucks might trade him if he didn’t sign a new deal.
However, the two sides managed to come to an agreement that will see Pettersson earn $92.8 million in the next eight years while also getting a no-movement clause starting the 2025-26 season. His deal comes with an average annual value of $11.6 million, marking the fifth-highest cap hit in the NHL.
Pettersson, who serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks, has 29 goals and 46 assists for a total of 75 points in 62 games this season.
“I am very happy to be continuing my career as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. I love this city and playing in front of the fans. We have an exciting group and believe we can do good things in the future,” Pettersson said in a statement.
Elias Pettersson made his debut with the Canucks in 2018–19. Since then, he played 387 games, contributing 398 points (165 goals and 233 assists). Pettersson won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2019 and has four All-Star appearances.
