Canucks sign goalie Thatcher Demko, winger Conor Garland to extensions

All-star goalie Thatcher Demko and winger Conor Garland are staying in Vancouver, signing extensions with the Canucks on Tuesday.

Demko inked a three-year, $25.5-million US deal, while Garland signed a six-year, $36-million contract.

Both players are heading into the final season of five-year contracts and were set to become unrestricted free agents next summer.

Demko, 29, is coming off an injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign where he posted a 10-8-3 record with a .889 save percentage, a 2.90 goals-against average and one shutout.

The six-foot-four, 192-pound goalie from San Diego, Calif., was named a finalist for last year’s Vezina Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s top goaltender, after going 35-14-2 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.45 GAA during the 2023-204 campaign.

The performance helped Vancouver clinch first place in the Pacific Division and earn a spot in the playoffs.

Demko suffered an injury to the popliteus muscle in his left knee during Game 1 of the team’s first-round series against the Nashville Predators. He did not play again until Dec. 10.

“Thatcher is one of the top goalies in the National Hockey League and a key leader in our locker room,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement.

“Demmer is one of the hardest-working players on our team and gives our group great confidence when he takes the net. A complete package of size, strength, rebound control, and athletic ability, our players know that they have an opportunity to win each and every game he plays.”

Garland put up 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists) for the Canucks this past season and won gold with the U.S. at the men’s world hockey championship in May.

The 29-year-old winger from Scituate, Mass., has played the last four years in Vancouver after being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes alongside defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson in July 2021.

“Conor is a core member of our hockey team and a player who has taken on a bigger role with the club the past couple seasons,” Allvin said. “He competes hard every day, drives play on the ice, is relentless on the forecheck and is really tough to play against. Gars is an emerging leader in the group and works extremely hard to keep himself and the players around him accountable.”

Canucks re-sign Brock Boeser 

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed one of their top scorers, inking right-winger Brock Boeser to a seven-year, $50.75-million deal.

The team announced the new contract about half an hour after the NHL’s free agency period opened on Tuesday and the 28-year-old from Burnsville, Minn., became an unrestricted free agent.

Boeser had 25 goals and 25 assists for Vancouver last season, well below the career highs he posted in goals (40) and points (73) during the 2023-24 campaign.

There was ample speculation in March that the 28-year-old right-winger would be moved ahead of the NHL’s trade deadline, but Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said the offers simply weren’t enticing enough.

Originally selected 23rd overall by the Canucks in the 2015 draft, Boeser has played all 554 of his career NHL games for Vancouver, amassing 204 goals and 230 assists in regular-season play. He added another 11 goals and 12 assists over 29 post-season appearances.

The six-foot-one, 208-pound forward from Burnsville, Minn., became a fan favourite not only for his scoring prowess, but how he handled adversity off the ice, including the death of his father, Duke, in May 2022.

The support from Vancouver hockey fans always meant a lot to Boeser.

“I can’t say enough about the fan base and the city. Everyone’s so kind to me, if I’m just out and about,” he said at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. “Everyone’s always had my back and supported me. And that’s something that I really appreciate “

Oilers deal Arvidsson to Bruins

The Edmonton Oilers have dealt left-winger Viktor Arvidsson to the Boston Bruins for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL entry draft.

The Oilers announced the deal just before the league’s free agency period began on Tuesday.

Arvidsson, 32, had 15 goals and 12 assists in 67 regular-season games for Edmonton last season, and added another seven points (two goals, five assists) in 15 playoff appearances before the Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final.

The five-foot-10, 185-pound Swedish forward signed with Edmonton as a free agent in July 2024 following stints with the L.A. Kings and Nashville Predators.

Arvidsson was originally selected by Nashville in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2014 draft and has amassed 194 goals and 195 assists over 613 regular-season games.

The move frees up $4-million in cap space for an Oilers team that inked defenceman Evan Bouchard to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $10.5 million on Monday. Edmonton’s superstar captain Connor McDavid is also now eligible for an extension.

Flames sign D-man Hanley to 2-year extension

The Calgary Flames have extended defenceman Joel Hanley’s contract by two years.

The deal announced Tuesday by the Flames carries an average annual value of $1.75 million US.

The 34-year-old from Keswick, Ont., played a career-high 53 games for Calgary last season.

Hanley contributed two goals and seven assists and was a career-best plus-12 while averaging 18 and a half minutes of ice time per game.

Calgary claimed the five-foot-11, 186-pound defenceman off waivers March 5, 2024.

Hanley, a left-handed shot, has five goals and 33 assists in 246 career NHL games with Calgary, Dallas, Arizona and Montreal.

His deal follows the Flames signing 25-year-old defenceman Kevin Bahl to a six-year, $32.1-million extension Saturday.

Habs trade Mailloux to Blues

The Montreal Canadiens traded defenceman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for forward Zack Bolduc on Tuesday before NHL free agency opened.

Mailloux produced 12 goals and 21 assists in 63 games with the American Hockey League’s Laval Rocket last season.

The 22-year-old right-shot blue-liner added two goals and two assists in seven games with the Canadiens in the NHL.

Bolduc had 19 goals and 17 assists in 72 games with the Blues last season.

The 22-year-old from Trois-Rivieres, Que., added one assist in seven playoff games.

Both players are entering the final season of their entry-level contracts.