The Vancouver Canucks have put those Elias Pettersson trade rumors to bed. On Saturday, the Canucks announced Pettersson has signed an eight-year contract extension.
Amidst speculation Pettersson might be traded if he didn’t sign a long-term extension, he and the team were able to get a deal done. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Pettersson’ contract is worth $11.6 million per year. The extension will kick in at the start of the 2024-25 season.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, Pettersson has become one of the NHL’s elite offensive weapons, and he is getting paid like it. For the moment, Pettersson will enter next year as the fifth-highest paid player behind Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, and Artemi Panarin.
Pettersson has been making a massive impact since his rookie season in 2018-19, when he won the Calder Trophy with 28 goals and 38 assists in 71 games. Throughout his first 387 NHL games, Pettersson has already amassed 165 goals, 233 assists, and 398 points.
This season, Pettersson has continued to elevate his game, and his ability to score and distribute at a high level has been a key factor in the Canucks becoming a Stanley Cup contender this season. Pettersson’s 75 points are 10th in the NHL, and Vancouver is outscoring teams 52-40 with Pettersson on the ice at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick.
With Pettersson under contract through the 2031-32 season, the Canucks now have their core locked in place for the foreseeable future. Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, and J.T. Miller all have at least three more years left on their contract after this one.
The Vancouver Canucks have locked in their star forward Elias Pettersson with an eight-year contract extension worth $64 million. The 22-year-old Swede has quickly become a fan favorite in Vancouver since being drafted fifth overall in the 2017 NHL Draft.
Pettersson has been a key player for the Canucks since his rookie season in 2018-2019, where he won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. In his first three seasons in the NHL, Pettersson has tallied an impressive 65 goals and 88 assists in 165 games.
The contract extension solidifies Pettersson as a cornerstone of the Canucks’ future, alongside fellow young stars Quinn Hughes and Brock Boeser. With Pettersson locked in long-term, the Canucks can now focus on building a competitive team around their talented core.
General Manager Jim Benning expressed his excitement about the contract extension, stating, “Elias is an important part of our team and we are thrilled to have him signed for the next eight years. He is a dynamic player who brings skill, speed, and creativity to our lineup.”
Pettersson’s new contract comes at a crucial time for the Canucks, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season and make a push for the playoffs. With Pettersson leading the way, the Canucks have a bright future ahead of them.
Fans can look forward to seeing Pettersson continue to dazzle on the ice in Vancouver for years to come. His combination of skill, speed, and hockey IQ make him one of the most exciting players to watch in the NHL. With Pettersson locked in long-term, the Canucks are poised for success in the years ahead.
