Canucks officially sign free agent Ferland to 4-year contract

It’s official.

The Vancouver Canucks have announced the signing of 27-year-old free agent winger Micheal Ferland, confirming multiple reports from earlier today.

Ferland signed a four-year deal, worth an average of $3.5 million per season.

“Micheal is an energetic player that drives the play and can contribute in all three zones,” said Canucks General Manager Jim Benning. “He’ll make our team harder to play against on a nightly basis and we’re excited that he’ll call Vancouver home.”

The agreement reportedly includes a no-movement clause for the first two years of the contract, becoming a modified no-trade clause after that. He will not be required to be protected in the expansion draft, according to TSN 1040’s Matt Sekeres.

My understanding is that #Canucks were the only team willing to give Michael Ferland 4 years. Other teams were involved but on 3-year deals. His NMC turns into a modified NTC for 3rd year of deal so he does not require expansion draft protection.

— Matthew Sekeres (@mattsekeres) July 10, 2019

The 6-foot-1, 217-winger spent last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, after four years with the Calgary Flames. He has put up back-to-back 40+ point seasons, and provides a physical presence.

It’ll be interesting to see what moves follow this. The Canucks will be pressed up close to the salary cap after they re-sign Brock Boeser, who is a restricted free agent. They may need to trade someone to get some breathing room.

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