Welcome back to Around the League — the series here at CanucksArmy where we dive into news and notes from around the National Hockey League — oftentimes through a Vancouver Canucks-tinted lens. 
The break has been long enough since we&#8217;ve last seen the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/discount-canucks-improvement-within-2024-25">Vancouver Canucks</a> in action. Well, wait no further, as we&#8217;re getting a little taste of hockey as the Young Stars Classic is going on. Training camp is later this week, and we&#8217;re just 23 days away from puck drop on the Canucks season.
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But before we get there, some teams made headlines this week around the league that we should discuss.
<blockquote>Sidney Crosby re-signs in Pittsburgh</blockquote>
Canucks fans can finally put the Sidney Crosby to Vancouver wishes to rest as the long-term Pittsburgh Penguin Sidney Crosby re-signed in Pittsburgh until 2027. And, of course, it wouldn&#8217;t be a Sidney Crosby contract without the average annual value (AAV) of $8.7 million.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
THE CAPTAIN IS COMMITTED.
The Penguins have re-signed Sidney Crosby to a two-year contract extension, running through the 2026.27 season and carrying an average annual value of $8.7 million.
Details: <a href="https://t.co/13N1vhbR2S">https://t.co/13N1vhbR2S</a> <a href="https://t.co/zgLb01EpgY">pic.twitter.com/zgLb01EpgY</a>
&mdash; Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) <a href="https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1835702713012621383?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Crosby, 37, has spent all 19 seasons with the Penguins, playing 1,272 games, accruing 592 goals and 1,596 points—good for the 10th-highest scorer in NHL history. The 2005 first-overall pick has brought three Stanley Cup championships to Pittsburgh and has captained the team for the last 17 seasons.
The Crosby household has a very full trophy case. He has won the Art Ross Trophy twice (2007, 2014), the Hart Trophy twice (2007, 2014), the Ted Lindsay Award three times (2007, 2013, 2014), the Mark Messier Leadership Award once (2010), the Maurice &#8220;Rocket&#8221; Richard Trophy twice (2010, 2017), and the Conn Smythe trophy twice (2016, 2017).
It shouldn&#8217;t be a surprise to see Crosby make $8.7 million annually. He was born on the seventh day of the eighth month (August 7th), 1987, and wears the number 87. Besides his entry-level contract, Crosby has made $8.7 million every year of his NHL career. Crosby is in the final year of his 12-year $104.4 million contract.
With long-term <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/i-dont-want-tamper-jokes-rick-tocchet-asked-canucks-trading-sidney-crosby">Penguins General Manager now with the Canucks</a> and the direction of the team, there were rumours that Jim Rutherford would attempt to bring Crosby to Vancouver. Whether or not there was actual steam to the rumours, it looks like Crosby is bound to ride into the sunset in Pittsburgh.
<blockquote>James van Riemsdyk signs in Columbus</blockquote>
While all the other teams are signing players to professional tryout contracts, the Blue Jackets signed free agent forward James van Riemsdyk to a one-year deal worth $900k.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
JVR 🤝 614
We’ve signed left wing James van Riemsdyk to a one-year contract! 
 📝 <a href="https://t.co/MnDuAg3VW6">https://t.co/MnDuAg3VW6</a><a href="https://twitter.com/RuoffMortgage?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RuoffMortgage</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBJ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CBJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/rAJ9LUP5Ag">pic.twitter.com/rAJ9LUP5Ag</a>
&mdash; Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJacketsNHL/status/1835434762103603366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The 35-year-old forward played as a depth scoring option for the Boston Bruins last year, scoring 11 goals and 38 points in 71 games. Best known for his net-front play on the powerplay, six of van Riemsdyk&#8217;s 11 goals came with the man advantage. Throughout his 15-year NHL career, van Riemsdyk has suited up for 1,011 games, scoring 311 goals and 629 points.
The former second-overall pick in the 2007 draft has spent time bouncing around from Eastern Conference teams. Originally selected by the Philadelphia Flyers, he enjoyed two stints with them, spent time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the aforementioned Boston Bruins and now can add Columbus Blue Jackets to his list.
Here&#8217;s what Blue Jackets&#8217; new GM, Don Waddell had to say on the signing:
“James van Riemsdyk has been a very consistent, productive player throughout his career and bringing him to Columbus will not only provide depth to our group up front, but also valuable leadership and another veteran presence in our dressing room,” said Waddell.
<blockquote>Detroit re-signs Jonatan Berggren</blockquote>
The Detroit Red Wings have had a busy offseason, and the signings trickled over into September. The club announced on Monday morning that they&#8217;ve signed forward Jonatan Berggren to a one-year contract worth $825K.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
BERGY IS BACK! 🍔
The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedWings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RedWings</a> have signed forward Jonatan Berggren to a one-year contract with an AAV of $825,000. <a href="https://t.co/bxGkWx8FEF">pic.twitter.com/bxGkWx8FEF</a>
&mdash; Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) <a href="https://twitter.com/DetroitRedWings/status/1835709030750187902?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Berggren, 24, spent time with the Red Wings and their AHL affiliate, Grand Rapids Griffins. In 12 games up with the big club, <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/canucks-undefeated-young-stars-classic-4-2-win-jets">the Swedish forward</a> scored two goals and six points with a minus-one rating. However, his efforts in the AHL earned him this extension. With the Griffins, Berggren led the team in goals (24), assists (32) and points (56) in just 53 games.
The former second-round pick of the 2018 draft has played 79 games, scoring 17 goals and 34 points. Berggren will now have an opportunity to become a mainstay with the big club this season in Detroit.
The Red Wings aren&#8217;t done here. With the season just a few weeks away, there are a couple more notable restricted free agents still in need of extensions: Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond.
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Welcome back to Around the League — the series here at CanucksArmy where we dive into news and notes from around the National Hockey League — oftentimes through a Vancouver Canucks-tinted lens. 

The break has been long enough since we've last seen the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/discount-canucks-improvement-within-2024-25">Vancouver Canucks</a> in action. Well, wait no further, as we're getting a little taste of hockey as the Young Stars Classic is going on. Training camp is later this week, and we're just 23 days away from puck drop on the Canucks season.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2111" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="329"></div>
&nbsp;

But before we get there, some teams made headlines this week around the league that we should discuss.
<blockquote>Sidney Crosby re-signs in Pittsburgh</blockquote>
Canucks fans can finally put the Sidney Crosby to Vancouver wishes to rest as the long-term Pittsburgh Penguin Sidney Crosby re-signed in Pittsburgh until 2027. And, of course, it wouldn't be a Sidney Crosby contract without the average annual value (AAV) of $8.7 million.

https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1835702713012621383

Crosby, 37, has spent all 19 seasons with the Penguins, playing 1,272 games, accruing 592 goals and 1,596 points—good for the 10th-highest scorer in NHL history. The 2005 first-overall pick has brought three Stanley Cup championships to Pittsburgh and has captained the team for the last 17 seasons.

The Crosby household has a very full trophy case. He has won the Art Ross Trophy twice (2007, 2014), the Hart Trophy twice (2007, 2014), the Ted Lindsay Award three times (2007, 2013, 2014), the Mark Messier Leadership Award once (2010), the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy twice (2010, 2017), and the Conn Smythe trophy twice (2016, 2017).

It shouldn't be a surprise to see Crosby make $8.7 million annually. He was born on the seventh day of the eighth month (August 7th), 1987, and wears the number 87. Besides his entry-level contract, Crosby has made $8.7 million every year of his NHL career. Crosby is in the final year of his 12-year $104.4 million contract.

With long-term <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/i-dont-want-tamper-jokes-rick-tocchet-asked-canucks-trading-sidney-crosby">Penguins General Manager now with the Canucks</a> and the direction of the team, there were rumours that Jim Rutherford would attempt to bring Crosby to Vancouver. Whether or not there was actual steam to the rumours, it looks like Crosby is bound to ride into the sunset in Pittsburgh.
<blockquote>James van Riemsdyk signs in Columbus</blockquote>
While all the other teams are signing players to professional tryout contracts, the Blue Jackets signed free agent forward James van Riemsdyk to a one-year deal worth $900k.

https://twitter.com/BlueJacketsNHL/status/1835434762103603366

The 35-year-old forward played as a depth scoring option for the Boston Bruins last year, scoring 11 goals and 38 points in 71 games. Best known for his net-front play on the powerplay, six of van Riemsdyk's 11 goals came with the man advantage. Throughout his 15-year NHL career, van Riemsdyk has suited up for 1,011 games, scoring 311 goals and 629 points.

The former second-overall pick in the 2007 draft has spent time bouncing around from Eastern Conference teams. Originally selected by the Philadelphia Flyers, he enjoyed two stints with them, spent time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the aforementioned Boston Bruins and now can add Columbus Blue Jackets to his list.

Here's what Blue Jackets' new GM, Don Waddell had to say on the signing:

“James van Riemsdyk has been a very consistent, productive player throughout his career and bringing him to Columbus will not only provide depth to our group up front, but also valuable leadership and another veteran presence in our dressing room,” said Waddell.
<blockquote>Detroit re-signs Jonatan Berggren</blockquote>
The Detroit Red Wings have had a busy offseason, and the signings trickled over into September. The club announced on Monday morning that they've signed forward Jonatan Berggren to a one-year contract worth $825K.

https://twitter.com/DetroitRedWings/status/1835709030750187902

Berggren, 24, spent time with the Red Wings and their AHL affiliate, Grand Rapids Griffins. In 12 games up with the big club, <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/canucks-undefeated-young-stars-classic-4-2-win-jets">the Swedish forward</a> scored two goals and six points with a minus-one rating. However, his efforts in the AHL earned him this extension. With the Griffins, Berggren led the team in goals (24), assists (32) and points (56) in just 53 games.

The former second-round pick of the 2018 draft has played 79 games, scoring 17 goals and 34 points. Berggren will now have an opportunity to become a mainstay with the big club this season in Detroit.

The Red Wings aren't done here. With the season just a few weeks away, there are a couple more notable restricted free agents still in need of extensions: Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond.

Sponsored by bet365!
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Sidney Crosby re-signs in Pittsburgh, JVR lands in Columbus, and more: Around the League

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