A source confirmed multiple reports that the Vancouver Canucks signed Elias Pettersson, a young star center, and Quinn Hughes, defenseman. They got their restricted free agent deals just two weeks before NHL regular season starts.
Pettersson, 22 years old, signed a three-year contract with an average annual value $7.35 million, which was in addition to the salary cap. According to the source, Hughes, 21 years old, signed a six year deal with an average annual value $7.85 million. This is the highest contract on the team.
Pettersson was the fifth overall pick in 2017, and the NHL rookie of year in 2018-19. He has 153 points from 165 games played with Vancouver. He only played 26 of the 56 games last season, but he had 21 points.
Pettersson will continue to be a restricted-free agent after the contract expires in 2023-24.
Hughes will become an unrestricted, free agent following the 2026-27 seasons. He has scored 97 points in 129 games. He was second to Cale Makar from Colorado for the Calder Trophy, the NHL's top rookie for 2019-20.
In July, Makar signed a $6 million yearly deal with the Colorado Avalanche. Hughes' contract has a lower cap than young defensemen such as Makar, Ottawa's Thomas Chabot (8 million) or Dallas's Miro Hieskanen (8.45 million), despite the fact that both signed eight-year contracts with their respective teams.
