Canucks Sign Defenseman Nycholat, Re-Sign Baumgartner

The Vancouver Canucks added a couple of depth defensemen to their blueline on Thursday evening by signing Lawrence Nycholat to a one-year contract and re-signing Nolan Baumgartner to a one-year contract. Terms of both their deals were not disclosed. The Canucks acquired Nycholat last fall in a trade with the Ottawa Senators for forward Ryan Shannon. Nycholat was claimed off waivers from the Canucks by the Calgary Flames in March, and then a day later, was traded to the Colorado Avalanche with defenseman Ryan Wilson in exchange for defenseman Jordan Leopold. In 19 games last season with the Canucks and Avalanche, Nycholat scored one assist. Baumgartner has not appeared in an NHL game since the 2006-07 season, but played in 72 games last season with the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Manitoba, scoring 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points. In 131 career NHL games with the Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Dallas Stars, he has six goals and 39 assists for 45 points. These are basically just depth signings for the Canucks, as Nycholat and Baumgartner are not likely to see much playing time in the NHL this season given the team’s depth on defense. Nycholat could be a sixth or seventh defenseman with the team this season, but Baumgartner will likely stay in the minors unless there is an injury.