The Vancouver Canucks made it official Sunday, confirming the signing of franchise cornerstones Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson to multi-year deals.
Hughes, a defenseman, re-signed for six years at an average annual value of $7.85 million, and Pettersson, a forward, re-signed for three years at an average annual value of $7.35 million.
“We’re extremely pleased to have agreed to terms with both Quinn and Elias,” general manager Jim Benning said in a news release. “Quinn has emerged as one of the premier young defensemen in the league, and we’re happy that we were able to make a deal that keeps him in Vancouver long-term. Elias is an exceptional offensive player whose speed and skill are complimented by a strong work ethic and desire to win. Both players will continue to be important parts of this team moving forward.”
Both players were restricted free agents.
The 21-year-old Hughes is entering his third full season with the Canucks. In each of his first two seasons, he led Canucks defensemen in scoring, and in 2020-21 had 41 points (three goals, 38 assists) in 56 games. He also led Vancouver in assists, power play points (19) and average time on ice (22:48).
In 129 regular-season games, Hughes has 97 points (11 goals, 86 assists). The Canucks selected him No. 7 overall in the 2018 draft.
The 22-year-old Pettersson was the No. 5 overall draft pick by the Canucks in 2017 and won the 2018-19 Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year. In 165 career games, he’s recorded 153 points (65 goals, 88 assists).
He had 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 26 games during the 2020-21 campaign before suffering a season-ending wrist injury in early March. At the time of his injury, Pettersson ranked second on the team in goals (10) and was tied for third in points (21).
–Field Level Media