The Anaheim Ducks have re-signed restricted free agent Brandon Montour to a two-year contract. The contract is worth $6.775 million or $3.3875 million per season AAV. This contract expires at the end of the 2019-20 season when Montour will again be a restricted free agent. The parties came to a deal prior to Montour’s scheduled arbitration hearing.
#NHLDucks and Brandon Montour have reached a two-year deal, settling at arbitration hearing today in Toronto. Sides were talking all yesterday and into night.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) July 24, 2018
Brandon Montour Re-Signs with the Ducks
Originally drafted in the 2nd round by the Ducks back in 2014, Brandon Montour just finished his first full season in the NHL. After just 27 games in 2016-17, Montour suited up for all but two in 2017-18. He averaged 20:28 of ice time per night, and scored nine goals and 23 assists for 32 total points.
Besides the offence, Montour also racked up 96 hits and 83 blocked shots. This equates to at least one hit and blocked shot every night. Also, the defenseman only accumulated 42 penalty minutes, proving his reliability extends to all areas of the game.
An impressive season for Montour extended past just the standard statistics as well. After seeing a poor -4.2 relative Corsi in his limited games through 2016-17, he drastically improved to a solid +2.0: a massive 6.2% improvement. His overall number was 49.5 percent Corsi-For. Given the fact that his usage didn’t change with regards to zone starts, and he skated over three minutes more each night, there’s a lot to be pleased with if you’re a Ducks fan.
Next Season for Brandon Montour
At just 23 years of age, this youngster could be on the cusp of breaking out in a big way for the Ducks. Brandon Montour will likely continue his growth and set new highs once again next season. Between Montour, Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and Josh Manson, Anaheim possesses one of the league’s best young defence corps. This team should be good on the back end for a long time.
Main Photo: NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 18: Brandon Montour #26 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 18, 2017, in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Ducks 5-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
