Canucks Sign Marcus Pettersson Long Term; Rutherford Gets His Man

The Pittsburgh Penguins decided they were not going to re-sign defenseman Marcus Pettersson and traded him with Drew O’Connor to the Vancouver Canucks for a couple of NHL players, a prospect, and the New York Rangers 2025 or 2026 first-round pick.

Vancouver management is quite familiar with Pettersson. It was the second time Vancouver president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford traded for Pettersson, and Wednesday marked the third time he signed him to a contract. Vancouver signed Pettersson to a healthy six-year contract with a $5.5 million average annual value.

Pettersson, 28, will have trade protection for the next three seasons.

As the Penguins’ GM, Rutherford acquired Pettersson in 2018 when he dealt struggling prospect Daniel Sprong to Anaheim for Pettersson.

Petterson played seven seasons and 442 games for the Penguins. His five-year, $20.13 million contract was set to expire after this season. Pettersson’s new deal will run through 2030-31.