Canucks sign former Leaf Mikheyev, BC boy Lazar and others on day 1 of free agency

Despite not having much room under the salary cap, the Vancouver Canucks have still been busy on day one of NHL free agency.

The biggest deal of the day for new general manager Patrick Allvin and company was a four-year deal worth $4.75 million per season for Ilya Mikheyev.

Welcome to Vancouver, @Souperman65 🥣

Canucks announce they have agreed to terms with forward Ilya Mikheyev on a four-year contract.

DETAILS | https://t.co/OVWUgVj15d pic.twitter.com/uupIW6im9U

— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) July 13, 2022

Mikheyev scored 21 goals in 53 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season and is considered one of the league’s fastest players and best penalty killers.

The 27-year-old Russian with three years of NHL experience should also help youngster Vasily Podkolzin and newcomer Andrei Kuzmenko with their adjustment to North American life and speaking English.

Officially official 📝#Canucks sign Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, entry level contract.

DETAILS | https://t.co/twitIbOd9G pic.twitter.com/SPEsxp2fYs

— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) July 13, 2022

Kuzmenko officially signed his one-year, entry-level contract with the Canucks this morning as well, despite the fact that it was confirmed by the team and his agent weeks ago.

Vancouver’s next biggest signing was their first of the day and it’s a player who is very familiar with British Columbia.

Welcome to Vancouver, @CurtisLazar95!#Canucks agree to terms with forward Curtis Lazar on a three year contract.

DETAILS | https://t.co/axochLtXL3 pic.twitter.com/weEzs6DpY2

— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) July 13, 2022

It’s a homecoming for Curtis Lazar, who grew up in Vernon cheering for the Canucks and signed a three-year deal worth $1 million per year with his favourite team.

Lazar is also a highly-rated skater and penalty killer, something Allvin was clearly trying to address today, and will likely slot in as the team’s fourth-line centre.

"I want to be a guy that's looked upon as a ringleader so to say"

Newly acquired #Canucks forward Curtis Lazar joined Halford and Brough today.@MikeHalford604 | @SadClubCommish

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— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) July 13, 2022

Vancouver made a number of minor signings this morning as well, which included forward Dakota Joshua, defenceman Wyatt Kalynuk and goalie Colin Delia.

Elsewhere in Canada, the Edmonton Oilers signed goaltender Jack Campbell to a five-year contract worth $5 million per season.

OFFICIAL ✍️

The #Oilers have inked goaltender Jack Campbell to a five-year contract with a $5 million AAV! #LetsGoOilers

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 13, 2022

Edmonton also re-signed Evander Kane and Brett Kulak to multi-year deals.

The Ottawa Senators made one of the biggest deals of the day, inking former Philadelphia Flyers’ captain Claude Giroux for three years.

Welcome home, Claude!

The #Sens have signed forward Claude Giroux to a three-year, $19.5M contract: https://t.co/z8lFrm89X9 pic.twitter.com/By4SmDup0A

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) July 13, 2022

Toronto added the second piece of their goaltending puzzle after trading for Matt Murray earlier this week, signing Ilya Samsonov to a one-year contract.

Unfortunately for Calgary Flames fans, Johnny Gaudreau is testing the open market and is not expected to return to Alberta.

There will be plenty more signings and trades in the coming hours and days, but as always, things have gotten off to a fiery start on the first day of NHL free agency.

_{Thumbnail photo courtesy of Getty Images.}