Ducks sign Sami Vatanen to 4-year extension
Sami Vatanen is staying in Anaheim.
The 25-year-old defenseman signed a four-year contract extension, the Ducks announced Saturday. The deal is worth a reported $19.5 million:
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
The contract includes a partial no-trade clause in the last two years, according to Helene Elliott of The Los Angeles Times.
Vatanen posted career bests in assists (29), points (38), and shots on goal last season, while averaging over 21 minutes of ice time. The blue-liner would've become a restricted free agent July 1, with many teams expected to be interested in his services.
Named to Finland's World Cup roster last month, Vatanen won a bronze medal with his national team at the 2014 Olympics.
With Vatanen locked up, a number of key RFAs - including fellow defenseman Hampus Lindholm, goaltender Frederik Andersen, and forward Rickard Rakell - remain without contracts.