Canucks sign Elias Pettersson to eight-year extension at $11.6 million AAV

The Vancouver Canucks announced they signed forward Elias Pettersson to an eight-year contract extension on Saturday.

Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli was the first to report that the AAV was $11.6 million, meaning Pettersson will earn a total of $92.8 million over the eight years.

The $92.8 million in Pettersson’s extension will make him the fourth-largest contract for total dollars in the NHL. The three above him have reached nine digits, with Pittsburgh Penguins’ forward Sidney Crosby earning $104.4 million, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon earning $100.8 million and Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid earning $100 million, according to Seravalli.

Pettersson has 29 goals and 46 assists for 75 points in 62 games with the Canucks this season. Last season, he reached career highs in every offensive category, scoring 39 goals and 63 assists for 102 points.

Taking fifth overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Pettersson has averaged over a point-per-game in his six-year career, scoring 398 points (165 goals and 233 assists) in 387 career games.

Pettersson and the Canucks have been the biggest surprise through the 2023-24 season, with the club being No. 1 in the league at various points throughout the season. Going into March 2, Vancouver has a 38-17-7 record with 83 points, first in both the Pacific Division and Western Conference and third for the rest of the league, with the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins both having 84 points.

However, the team has faced some adversity in the last few weeks and only have three wins in regulation in their last 15 games.

The team flew south as they prepare for a three-game road trip against all the California teams, starting Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks.