The Anaheim Ducks signed defenceman Sami Vatanen to a four-year contract extension on Saturday. The deal puts the Finnish defender under contract through the 2019-2020 season. Vatanen was scheduled to become a restricted free agent on July 1st. The deal is worth $19.5 million, which averages out to a $4.85 million cap hit per season.
Sami Vatanen gets a four-year extension from the Ducks.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 18, 2016
Vatanen’s deal is four years, $19.5 million. $5M in 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19. $4.5M in 2019-20.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) June 18, 2016
Anaheim Ducks Sign Sami Vatanen to Contract Extension
Vatanen, 25, is a right-handed shot defender, who also brings a significant offensive game. He scored nine goals and added 29 assists for 38 points in 71 games with the Ducks last season. He continued to provide offense in the playoffs, adding one goal and three assists in the Ducks seven game loss to the Nashville Predators. Vatanen was a huge part of the Ducks power play that ranked first in the NHL with 23.1% efficiency last season.
The Ducks selected Vatanen in the fourth round, 106th overall, at the 2009 NHL Draft. In 194 career games with Anaheim, he has scored 29 goals and amassed 98 points. He is also a career plus-25.
Vatanen may be undersized, but he has performed well at both ends of the rink. His 53.0% Corsi For rating was second amongst Ducks defenders, trailing only Cam Fowler.
This is the second major move of the off-season for Ducks general manager Bob Murray. Earlier in the week, he hired Randy Carlyle as the team’s new head coach; replacing Bruce Boudreau.
Main Photo:
ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 23: Sami Vatanen #45 of the Anaheim Ducks reacts after scoring on a breakaway against goaltender Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators in the third period of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 23, 2016 in Anaheim, California. Vatanen’s goal was the eventual game-winning goal. The Ducks defeated the Predators 5-2. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
