Ducks re-sign D Sami Vatanen for 4 years, $19.5 million

By foxsports
Published

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Defenseman Sami Vatanen has re-signed with the Anaheim Ducks, agreeing to a four-year, $19.5 million deal.

The Ducks retained the restricted free agent Saturday.

Vatanen had nine goals and a career-high 29 assists last season. The aggressive, puck-moving Finn also filled a prominent role on Anaheim's NHL-best power play.

Vatanen made $1.275 million last season. He will be the Ducks' highest-paid defenseman next season, making $5 million in each of the next three seasons.

The Ducks still have several free agents to re-sign, including four key restricted free agents: defenseman Hampus Lindholm, goalie Frederik Andersen and forwards Rickard Rakell and Brandon Pirri. Their unrestricted free agents include David Perron and Jamie McGinn.

With so many players to re-sign, Vatanen had been a prominent feature in trade rumors around the Ducks.