Vancouver Canucks Free Agency Updates
The Vancouver Canucks have been active recently as the 2025 Free Agency period kicked off, making decisions that will undoubtedly shape their roster as well as that of the Abbotsford Canucks, their AHL affiliate that recently clinched the Calder Cup. Vancouver opted to lock in several key forwards with short-term contracts while leaving out some longtime contributors from their qualifying offers. Here are the developments affecting the Abbotsford squad following the initial days of free agency.
New Contracts for Key Players
On the morning of June 30, Vancouver secured the future of important figures in Abbotsford’s locker room through contract extensions. Among those was Max Sasson, who signed on for an additional year at $775,000. Sasson played a pivotal role during the Calder Cup Championship, contributing five goals and nine assists across 24 postseason games. He also celebrated a milestone with his first career NHL goal during his debut season in 2024–25.
Arshdeep Bains, another significant asset for the Abbotsford Canucks, extended his contract for another two years. Bains notched the highest points on the team throughout the regular season with 11 goals and 32 assists over 50 games and maintained a scoring pace of one point per game in the playoffs with notable contributions of seven goals and 17 assists in 24 outings.
Aatu Räty also secured a two-year deal to stay with the Vancouver organization. Although his playoff experience was limited due to injury, he made a strong impression at training camp showcasing his ability as an NHL center. In the AHL, Räty recorded 17 goals and 23 assists in 43 appearances, alongside seven goals and four assists in NHL play.
Lastly, veteran defender Guillaume Brisebois re-signed on a one-year, two-way agreement. Drafted 66th overall by Vancouver in 2015, Brisebois has been a staple of the franchise. Over the Calder Cup playoff run, he contributed two goals and an assist in 24 games, continuing his role as a dependable player in both the AHL and NHL.
Qualifying Offers Extended
Simultaneously, the Canucks announced that two Abbotsford players had received qualifying offers. Jett Woo, a vital part of Abbotsford’s leadership, was among them. Drafted in the second round of 2018, Woo has remained a significant presence on the team, evidenced by his contributions of one goal and five assists during 22 playoff games.
Nikita Tolopilo also received a qualifying offer following a solid season where he appeared in 36 games with a record of 20 wins, 14 losses, and two overtime losses. He achieved four shutouts and made his NHL debut at the tail end of the regular season, showcasing his skills with a notable save percentage.
Departures from Abbotsford
However, the news was not entirely positive; four players, including defencemen Cole McWard and Christian Felton, along with forwards Ty Glover and Tristen Nielsen, did not receive qualifying offers and are now free agents. McWard quickly signed a one-year contract with the New York Islanders, having recently made his NHL debut with the Canucks and contributing during the Calder Cup playoffs.
Veteran Phil Di Giuseppe also parted ways, sealing a one-year deal with the Winnipeg Jets after a successful four-year stint with the Canucks where he accumulated significant scoring metrics.
In the wake of these changes, some former AHL Canucks remain unsigned. Among them, Nate Smith and Ty Glover are still seeking new contracts, while fan-favorite Tristen Nielsen, who has shown consistent scoring over his four-year run with the AHL team, also finds himself in search of a new team. Defender Christian Wolanin, another key playmaker, remains without a contract for the upcoming season following a robust performance in prior campaigns.
The moves Vancouver has made during this free agency showcase their commitment to maintain a competitive edge, while Abbotsford prepares to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as they look to defend their Calder Cup title.
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