Blueger, Cole each signs 1-year contract with Canucks

Teddy Blueger and Ian Cole each signed a one-year-contract with the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

Blueger's contract is worth $3 million; Cole's is worth $1.9 million.

Blueger, a 28-year-old forward had 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 63 regular-season games for the Vegas Golden Knights and Pittsburgh Penguins last season, including six points (two goals, four assists) in 18 games after he was acquired in a trade with the Penguins on March 1.

Blueger had two points (one goal, one assist) in six Stanley Cup Playoff games to help the Golden Knights win the Cup.

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"Teddy is someone we are familiar with and will fit in nicely with our club," Canucks general manager Patrick Allvin said. "We needed some veteran experience down the middle to help us improve this coming season. Teddy has been a part of two Stanley Cup winning teams and will add a lot to our lineup, including the ability to kill penalties, an area we know we have to be better this year."

Selected by Pittsburgh in the second round (No. 52) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Blueger has 98 points (35 goals, 63 assists) in 268 regular-season games for the Golden Knights and Penguins and four points (two goals, two assists) in 24 playoff games.

Cole, a 34-year-old defenseman, had 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 78 regular-season games for the Tampa Bay Lightning last season and three points (one goal, two assists) in six playoff games.

"Ian brings a lot of experience to our hockey team and will definitely bolster our blueline," Allvin said. "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 a Stanley Cup experience and pedigree is an important addition to our core group."

Selected by the St. Louis Blues in the first round (No. 18) of the 2007 NHL Draft, Cole has 182 points (32 goals, 150 assists) in 748 regular-season games for the Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Penguins and Blues and 29 points (three goals, 26 assists) in 116 playoff games.

Cole won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

Vancouver also signed defenseman Carson Soucy to a three-year, $9.75 million contract ($3.25 million average annual value) on Saturday.

The 28-year-old had 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 78 regular-season games for the Seattle Kraken last season and two points (one goal, one assist) in 14 playoff games.

Selected by the Minnesota Wild in the fifth round (No. 137) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Soucy has 68 points (21 goals, 47 assists) in 250 regular-season games for the Kraken and Wild and two points in 26 playoff games.

"Carson will provide stability and size (6-foot-5, 208 pounds) to our back end," Allvin said. "He is a player who uses his big frame to his advantage, plays a sound defensive game and also has the tools to chip in offensively. His experience playing a man down will be a great asset for our penalty kill this coming season."

The Canucks (38-33-7) finished sixth in the Pacific Division last season, have not qualified for the playoffs in the past three seasons and in six of the past seven seasons.