Dakota Joshua signed a deal with the Vancouver Canucks today. The physical winger turned an excellent season into a four-year contract totaling $13. This deal will have an average cap hit of $3.25 million and run until the end of the 2027-28 season.
4x$3.25M https://t.co/BmpwCmfGAm
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 27, 2024
Dakota Joshua Signed and Sealed, Now Needs to Deliver
The Vancouver Canucks took a risk when they signed Dakota Joshua to a one-way, two-year contract in 2022. He took full advantage, moving from a fourth-line player to a big part of a 100-plus point team in that time. And now he’s collected a payday more suitable to his talents and use.
Leading up to his previous deal, Joshua had been traded to St. Louis from the Toronto Maple Leafs for “future considerations”. In his three seasons with the Blues organization, Joshua bounced between the ECHL, AHL, and NHL. He played just 42 NHL games, scoring four goals and nine points. But his play with the AHL’s Springfield Falcons and their playoff run got him a one-way deal with Vancouver.
In his two seasons there, Joshua played 142 games in the regular season, scoring 29 goals and 55 points. He became an important part of their improved penalty kill and performed well in the playoffs with four goals and eight points in 13 games. And that was more than enough to get him his new deal.
What the Canucks Get in Keeping Joshua
In Joshua, the Canucks retain a physical presence first and foremost. While he’s dropped the gloves to defend teammates, he also knows how to use his strength both in front of the net and on the walls. Joshua controls the puck well, keeping it from opponents while in their zone on the forecheck or on the attack.
That presence is just as useful in front of the opponent’s net as it is in his own end when on the penalty kill. It would be no surprise to see him add more power play time to his repertoire. Joshua is a big, strong, smart player who is learning to make the most of his skills. Any team would be happy to have him.
Main Photo: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
