Former Vancouver Canucks Prospect Signs New Contract Just Months After Being Traded

The offseason is in full swing for the majority of teams around the National Hockey League and we're already seeing several of them get ahead of the curve and get some business done before the Entry Draft and start of free agency.

This past week, fans across the NHL saw a pair of trades take place including Chris Kreider, who was a Vancouver Canucks target, who was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks by the New York Rangers.

It's only going to get busier in the weeks ahead and we're even seeing some prospects inking their first NHL contract too, including a former Vancouver Canucks draft pick that was traded earlier this year.

In a post on their official team website on Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they've agreed to terms on a three-year contract worth $872,500 annually with former Vancouver Canucks prospect Melvin Fernstrom.

According to PuckPedia, Fernstrom's contract includes a $97,500 signing bonus, along with a $102,500 games played bonus.

Fernstrom, a native of Balsta, Sweden, was selected in the third round, 93rd overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft last June, but with the team in desperate need of a top-four defenseman, Patrik Allvin included him in the package sent to Pittsburgh for Marcus Pettersson in January.

The 19-year-old went on to have a solid season in Sweden, spending the majority of his time in the SHL with Orebro HK where he put up 17 points (eight goals, nine assists), four penalty minutes and was a minus-ten in 48 games.

Last month, the Swedish Hockey League recognized the hard work Melvin Fernstrom put in during the 2024-25 campaign naming him Rookie of the Year.

Fernstrom will more than likely be headed to North America in a few weeks for the Pittsburgh Penguins' development camp before returning to Sweden for the 2025-26 season with Orebro HK.

Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins Sign Forward Melvin Fernstrom to a Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract