Canucks sign 2026 first-round pick to entry-level contract

The Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Adam Novotny to a three-year, entry-level contract, general manager Ryan Johnson announced Tuesday. Vancouver selected the 18-year-old 24th overall in the first-round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, after taking center Caleb Malhotra third overall.

Novotny becomes the first Canucks prospect from the 2026 draft class to sign an entry-level deal. The agreement carries a $1.075 million annual cap hit, per PuckPedia. His NHL salary is listed at $922,500 in the first year, $967,500 in the second and $1.0125 million in the third, with signing bonuses of $102,500, $107,500 and $112,500, respectively. His AHL salary is set at $87,500 each season, while the contract includes no performance bonuses.

The Czech forward made his North American debut with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League during the 2025-26 season. He led the team in both goals and points, producing 34 goals and 31 assists for 65 points in 58 regular-season games. Novotny added one assist across six playoff appearances.

His production constituted a major jump from his previous season with Mountfield HK in the Czech Extraliga. In 41 games during the 2024-25 campaign, Novotny recorded one goal and two assists for three points, along with 14 penalty minutes. He added two goals in 10 playoff games. With Mountfield HK U20, he racked up 11 points, including eight goals and three assists, in seven postseason games.

Novotny has also been a regular international representative for Czechia. His resume includes appearances at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, 2025 U18 World Championships and the 2025 and 2026 World Junior Hockey Championships. Czechia won silver at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, bronze at the 2025 World Juniors and silver at the 2026 tournament, where Novotny finished with three assists in seven games.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward will have an opportunity to compete for an NHL roster spot during training camp before a likely return to Peterborough.

The post Canucks sign 2026 first-round pick to entry-level contract appeared first on ClutchPoints.