The Vancouver Canucks have announced some news during the Four Nations Faceoff break. News came down Tuesday afternoon that Drew O’Connor signed a two-year extension with the club. This deal has an average cap hit of $2.5 million and runs until the end of the 2026-27 season.
Drew O’Connor 2x$2.5M extension in Vancouver
— Elliotte Friedman (Bot) (@notfriedgehnic.bsky.social) 2025-02-18T17:28:51.226Z
Drew O’Connor Inks Extension with Vancouver Canucks
O’Connor was recently acquired by the Canucks along with Marcus Pettersson as part of a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Vancouver had already signed their newest model of Pettersson to an extension. However, it was O’Connor’s turn to get a new deal done.
The 26-year-old forward has played the Penguins and the Canucks over his six-year NHL career. O’Connor has eight goals and 10 assists for 18 points in 57 games between the two clubs. The Wayne, New Jersey native has a Corsi for of 50.0 and a relative Corsi of -3.6.
O’Connor has 32 goals and 36 assists for 68 points in 214 career games. Pittsburgh signed him as an undrafted free agent after a strong NCAA career with Dartmouth of the ECAC. He was the Ivy League player of the year in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
What It Means
O’Connor has impressed in his short time with the Canucks. One wondered how he would do with a new team. However, it seems like he’s taken well to his new surroundings. He is coming off a career-best 16-goal season with the Penguins. However, he does well as a solid depth addition to the Canucks’ roster.
The young forward has fit in nicely and seems to be part of the Canucks’ plans at least for the near future. He can do a number of things and his cap hit is a relatively low one. If the Canucks have to move him next season, he could get back a decent return back.
Vancouver General Manager Patrik Allvin has already made some moves and may not be done. However, this seems like a solid move.
Main photo by: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
