Pending UFA avoids trade deadline move with multi-year extension in VAN, spelling the beginning of the end for another pending UFA

With the NHL trade deadline coming up in 5 weeks, there has been a lot of speculation over just how active the Vancouver Canucks will be in the sellers' market - specifically because of comments made by both the team's GM and President of Hockey Ops.

This past week, GM Patrik Allvin and President Jim Rutherford revealed that the Canucks are expected to move on from many of the team's top players as they look to change the landscape in Vancouver after yet another disappointing season. It is believed the the only two players who were untouchable were Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes. Well, now I suppose we can add another name to that list.

The Canucks announced on Thursday that they have come to terms on a multi-year deal with winger Andrei Kuzmenko, who has had a terrific first NHL season after coming over from the KHL this summer. Kuzmenko has stepped right in and played as advertised for the Canucks, potting 21 goals and adding 22 assists for 43 points in 47 games so far this season. He was set to become a UFA this summer.

As far as the terms of Kuzmenko's new deal with the Canucks, it will carry an annual average value (AAV) of $5.5M and includes a 12-team no-trade list.


With another big contract locked in for the next two years, it's becoming more and more likely that the Canucks will be moving on from captain Bo Horvat, as has been reported for much of the season. The Canucks reportedly low-balled their captain earlier this year and the 27-year-old has not had much of a desire to negotiate a new deal ever since.