On Tuesday afternoon, Vancouver Canucks announced that they signed a one-year contract extension for defenseman Derek, worth $2 million, of AAV. He would have been an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1 and won a one-year contract worth $1.5 million (AAV).
In its first season with Karnak, Forbort had 2 goals and 11 points in 54 games, with an average ice time of 17:06. He also scored 65 hits and 77 blocks, a big part of the free throw kill that lost Ian Cole to free agent agency last offseason.
“Having Derek back for another season is a big move for our team,” the signed press release said. “His strong defense and solid work on free throw kills really helped solidify our back-end. Last year, Derek made a strong voice in the room and had some impressive leadership, and we will hope he helps our team continue to grow and improve the upcoming season.”
Now, a veteran with 550 games between the Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins and Canucks, Forbort will enter the NHL’s 11th season and potentially breaking 1,000 strikes and 1,000 blocks next season as he scored 923 in both the former and 936 seasons in 923. His body, shooting and leadership will be a welcome sight of a defense without a lot of stuff, next to another new face, Marcus Pettersson.
Forbort will join a very strong blue line in 2025-26, which will also add to top prospects Tom Willander and possibly Elias Pettersson’s entire season, with Elias Pettersson playing a breakthrough rookie sport in 2024-25. Now that he has re-signed, the defense will be contracted with seven defenders for next season, led by Captain Quinn Hughes, of course.
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