Canucks sign Linus Karlsson and Cole McWard to one-year, two-way extensions

The Vancouver Canucks continue to stay busy this week, signing more of their own. Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced on Thursday that the club has agreed to terms with forward Linus Karlsson and defenceman Cole McWard to one-year, two-way contract extensions.

 

Karlsson was drafted in the third round of the 2018 NHL entry draft by the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks then traded him to the Canucks for Jonathan Dahlen in 2019. Karlsson has spent the last two seasons with Vancouver’s affiliate, Abbotsford Canucks.

Since joining Abbotsford, he has scored 109 points in 132 games. Karlsson had a career year this past season, averaging a point per game (23 goals, 37 assists, 60 points in 60 games). The Swedish forward led the Canucks in points and powerplay goals this season.

Karlsson’s efforts earned him four regular season games in the National Hockey League and two playoff games. Although he was held pointless in his six NHL games, head coach Rick Tocchet trusted Karlsson in an elevated role, high in the lineup when it mattered most. In his two playoff games this season, Karlsson was slotted alongside Elias Pettersson. Despite the immense pressure of a playoff game, Karlsson earned the game puck after a Game 3 win against the Edmonton Oilers.

McWard was an undrafted free agent who signed with the Canucks later in the 2022-2023 season out of the Ohio State University. The Fenton, Missouri native jumped into the NHL after he signed, playing in Vancouver’s remaining five games. McWard would score in his second career game against the Calgary Flames.

Last season, McWard spent the majority of the season in the AHL with Abbotsford. In 57 games, the American scored four goals and 17 points, finishing with a plus-5 rating. The 6’1, left-shot defenceman played one game in Vancouver this season, going pointless in 9:05 minutes of ice time.