Vancouver Canucks sign Elias Pettersson to eight year deal at $11.6 million annually

The Vancouver Canucks have signed Elias Pettersson to an eight-year deal worth $92.8 million. The club announced the contract early Saturday morning.

“This is a very important signing for the Vancouver Canucks,” said Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin. “Elias is one of the top players in the National Hockey League and is a key member of our leadership group. We know his best days are ahead of him and with his high end skill and desire to be the best, we look forward to seeing Elias succeed and grow. This signing is another example of our ownerships’ unwavering commitment to do what ever it takes to help us be a successful organization.”

“This is a very exciting day for me and my family,” said Elias Pettersson. “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. Both Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin have done a great job in building this team and creating a culture, along with Rick Tocchet. And lastly I want to thank the Aquilini family for this opportunity.”

The contract carries a full no-movement clause for all eight years, and a total value $92.8 million.

On Wednesday, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported that Pettersson and the Canucks had made “significant progress” with Pettersson on an eight-year deal. A couple of days later, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on trade talks between the Carolina Hurricanes and Canucks that revolved around Pettersson. Once the team made it clear that Pettersson needed to make a decision, talks picked up between the two sides and the contract got done.

Drafted with the fifth overall pick in 2017, Pettersson’s first contract after his entry-level deal was for three years at $7.35 million annually, and is set to expire at the end of this season. Pettersson was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season, and an eight-year deal would kick in at the beginning of next season.

Pettersson, 25, is on pace to eclipse the 100 point mark for the second straight season, as he currently sits at 29 goals and 46 assists through 61 games played this year.

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