Global Courant
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VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Canucks strengthen their blue line as part of NHL free agency on Saturday.
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The Canucks say they have reached an agreement with defensemen Carson Soucy, Ian Cole and Matt Irwin, as well as forwards Teddy Blueger and Tristen Nielsen.
Soucy, 28, spent the past two years with the Seattle Kraken — as their expansion pick of the Minnesota Wild — scoring three goals and 16 points in 78 games last season.
He signed a three-year, $9.75 million contract, while Cole has a one-year, $3 million contract.
“Ian brings a lot of experience to our hockey team and will certainly strengthen our blue line,” said Canucks General Allvin. “He knows what it takes to be successful in the NHL, knows how to compete and he knows how to be a leader both on and off the ice. Bringing in someone with Stanley Cup experience and pedigree is an important addition to our core group.”
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Irwin signed a one-year, two-way contract. The financial terms of his contract have not been released.
The 35-year-old journeyman blueliner from Victoria played the past two seasons with the Washington Capitals. He previously played for Buffalo, Anaheim, Nashville, Boston and San Jose.
Blueger committed to a one-year, $1.9 million deal, while Nielsen signed a two-year entry-level contract.
Cole, 34, spent last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, while Blueger, 28, won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights.
The 23-year-old Nielsen spent the past two seasons with the Abbotsford Canucks, the AHL affiliate in Vancouver.
He has 52 points in 105 regular season games for Abbotsford.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 1, 2023.
