Anaheim Ducks Sami Vatanen wants to stay with Ducks for a long time

Defenseman Sami Vatanen would love to stay with the Anaheim Ducks for a long time 

The NHL trade deadline can be a stressful time of year for players with all the rumors spreading. One popular rumor had the Anaheim Ducks being open to moving one of their young defensemen. The most common one named was Sami Vatanen. Anaheim decided to keep their young core of defensemen together. It was a tough time for Vatanen, who will be a restricted free agent after this season.

“You hear all kinds of things when you come to the rink like that,” Vatanen said, via the Orange County Register. “It’s out of my hands. I can’t do anything about that… I want to be a Duck. That’s my first thing what I want to do. It’s been my favorite team. That’s on my mind. To be here for a long time would be a dream come true.”

Anaheim would likely love to have Vatanen to be a Duck for a long time as well. Vatanen is their fourth leading scorer entering March 1st with 34 points (nine goals and 25 assists) in 61 games while averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per night. He is on pace to best his career high 37 points that he had last season and has already tied his career high in assists.

The 24 year old Finnish defenseman will likely command a long term deal with an average annual value of over $5 million. Nick Leddy’s contract of seven years with an AAV of $5.5 million is a comparable contract. Leddy had played more games before signing his extension than Sami Vatanen will have played by the end of this season, however. Anaheim also has to make decisions about defenseman Hampus Lindholm and center Rickard Rakell, who will also be restricted free agents.

Anaheim will be an interesting team to watch this offseason. Regardless of what happens, expect Sami Vatanen to play a significant role with the Ducks moving forward.