Just days before their October 9 season opener, the Vancouver Canucks secured Nils Hoglander with a three-year extension. The 23-year-old winger will have a $3 million cap hit on the new deal starting in the 2025-26 season, while he is currently earning $1.1 million against the cap.
During the Canucks’ journey to their first playoff appearance since the 2019-20 season, Hoglander achieved career highs with 24 goals, 36 points, and a plus-23 rating last year, all while averaging just 12:06 of ice time. This suggests he may see an increase in playing time in the 2024-25 season once his new contract begins.
Hoglander had a significant positive impact on the ice for the Canucks last season, making his retention a wise decision. Given Vancouver’s current lack of depth on the wing, there’s a chance the young Swede could secure a spot in the top six. While it will be competitive, this opportunity could turn his contract into a bargain in the future.
A second-round pick in 2019, Hoglander took some time to adjust but appears to have found his stride last season. With 221 games under his belt in B.C., the question remains: can the left-winger elevate his game to that of a true star?
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