Canucks re-sign Mark Friedman to one-year, $775k contract

Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin announced Wednesday that the club have re-signed defenseman Mark Friedman to a one-year, $775,000 contract.

Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli was the first to report on the extension.

The 28-year-old tallied one assist in 23 games with Vancouver during the 2023-24 season. He notched one goal and four points in four American Hockey League (AHL) games with the Canucks affiliate the Abbotsford Canucks.

“Mark’s addition to our group last year gave us some much needed depth and he is someone we can count on if plugged into our lineup,” said Allvin. “He is a team first player and is always ready to step in if called upon. We expect him to come into camp and compete hard for a regular spot this season.”

Friedman is coming off a two-year, $1.55 million contract that he signed in 2022 with the Pittsburgh Penguins under then-GM Ron Hextall. Friedman was dealt to Vancouver in October of last season in exchange for Jack Rathbone and winger Karel Plasek. Friedman spent 2.5 seasons with the Penguins organization and appeared in 54 games with the club, notching four goals and seven assists for 11 points.

The Toronto, Ontario native was originally selected No. 86 overall in the 2014 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. Friedman spent three years with the Flyers organization and appeared in 11 games recording one assist.

Throughout his time spent in the AHL, Friedman has collected 12 goals and 59 assists for 71 points in 218 games over parts of seven seasons with the LeHigh Valley Phantoms, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Abbotsford.

Following the Canucks massive deal yesterday for Filip Hronek, it seems GM Patrik Allvin is getting the Canucks defense locked down. The Canucks still have Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Myers and Ian Cole to get deals done with.