Editor’s Note: This story has been updated since published earlier today.
Sources around the league have reported that Antoine Roussel of the Dallas Stars will become a part of the Vancouver Canucks roster. Several reports were posted on Twitter earlier today stating that the left winger had signed a four-year deal at $3 million AAV with the Canucks. Many of those reports also list center Jay Beagle of the Washington Capitals as having signed the same deal with the Canucks.
The Vancouver Canucks confirmed the signing with a statement on NHL.com.
OFFICIAL: #Canucks sign Antoine Roussel (@Rous_ant) to a four-year deal. https://t.co/uwbdEDJB1Y
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) July 1, 2018
Roussel finished the 2017-2018 season with five goals and 12 assists for 17 total points through 73 games played with the Stars. Despite the low points totals however, he was ranked third in the league for PIM at 126 — second only to Michael Haley of Florida (212 PIM) and Tom Wilson of Washington (187 PIM). Roussel was known for his tough on-ice play and ability to draw and take a large number of penalties.
Micah Blake McCurdy of HockeyViz broke down some of the fancy stats for Roussel’s play with Dallas over the last three seasons and noted the high number of penalties for and against the left winger.
Antoine Roussel (4×3.25, also Canucks) is a second-liner who draws and takes a ludicrous number of penalties. pic.twitter.com/EjF5AbpA89
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) July 1, 2018
While fans may be disappointed to see one of the bigger on-ice personalities depart the Stars, Bruce LeVine of the Stars’ radio team had some silver lining thoughts for fans:
Going to miss Antoine Roussel. Gave his all on the ice, always with a smile and happy to chat in the locker room. Many years ago VAN told him he would never make their roster. That was 413 NHL games ago.
Bonne Chance @Rous_ant— Bruce LeVine (@BruceLeVinePuck) July 1, 2018
All of us at Defending Big D wish Antoine Roussel well and hope he doesn’t create a new record of PIM when Vancouver faces Dallas in the 2018-2019 season.