The Anaheim Ducks continue retaining some key pieces of their foundation. After acquiring Kevin Bieksa from the Vancouver Canucks and re-upping to a somewhat pricey extension, the team has come to terms with 24-year-old winger Jakob Silfverberg, signing him to a four-year deal. The new contract is set to pay him $3.75 million per season.
BREAKING: #NHLDucks sign @jsilfverberg33 to a four-year contract: http://t.co/aZDd71I76e #oohahhsilfverberg pic.twitter.com/NaNlfi70Xi
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) August 7, 2015
Silfverberg has spent the last two seasons in Anaheim, after coming over in a trade from the Ottawa Senators. He was part of a bigger package for the Senators to receive the services of scoring forward Bobby Ryan. Silfverberg is no slouch himself, scoring 10 goals and 19 points in 48 games during his rookie season, finishing 15th in Calder votes. His possession stats were stellar and averaging over 16 minutes of ice time, Silfverberg became quite a name in Canada’s capital. Unfortunately, his time as a member of the Senators was short-lived.
Traded to Anaheim along with prospect Stefan Noesen and a 2014 first-round selection, which turned out to be the 10th overall pick which the Ducks used to select Nicholas Ritchie, Silfverberg played in 52 games during his first season with the new team. His ice time was reduced by nearly two minutes, but his shooting percentage went up. He finished the season with 10 goals again, but shot the puck less. Of his 10 goals, 7 came at even-strength, which is the same total as the season he played in Ottawa. Despite playing in a reduced role and his possessions stats taking a slight hit, his turnover-to-takeaway rate improved significantly, as he focused more on the defensive side of the game.
Last season, Silfverberg appeared in 81 games, recording highs in goals (13), assists (26) and points (39). His offensive game had improved, he was more confident on the ice and taking better quality shots. Meanwhile, his ice time was increased back up to over 15 minutes and his responsibilities were earned as he continued to improve on his two-way game. He managed to finish with over twice as many takeaways as he did in giveaways, his possession stats were back up from his first season with Anaheim and the coach learned to trust him.
In the 2015 playoffs, Silfverberg shined brighter than he did in the regular season, putting up 4 goals and 18 points in 16 games and averaging just under 20 minutes per game. His possession stats were just as good and his PDO soared to 104.5, the highest rating he had put up in both the regular season and playoffs, in his career. Silfverberg once again became a household name, this time as a member of the Ducks, and finished tied for second in points with Corey Perry, and two points back of leader Ryan Getzlaf.
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