Canucks sign Holtby to 2-year, $8.6M deal

The Vancouver Canucks signed goaltender Braden Holtby to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4.3 million, the team announced Friday.

The deal doesn't include a no-movement clause, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie, opening up his eligibility in the upcoming Seattle expansion draft.

"We are pleased to add Braden, an experienced and established goaltender, to our roster," general manager Jim Benning said. "Braden is a Stanley Cup champion, brings leadership and has demonstrated the ability to rise to the occasion in big games. He will be an important part of our team."

The 30-year-old has been the Washington Capitals' starting goaltender for the last eight seasons. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2016 and helped lead the Capitals to a Stanley Cup victory in 2018.

The move seems to indicate pending free-agent goaltender Jacob Markstrom will sign elsewhere, ending his seven-year stint with the Canucks.

Holtby had the worst statistical season of his career during the 2019-20 season, recording a .897 save percentage and 3.11 goals-against average in 48 games.