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Anaheim Ducks agree to four year deal with Sami Vatanen

By Dave Stevenson

an 20, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) against the Minnesota Wild during a NHL game at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
an 20, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) against the Minnesota Wild during a NHL game at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ducks have agreed to a four-year deal with pending restricted free agent defenseman Sami Vatanen.

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed defenseman Sami Vatanen to a four-year deal worth $19.5 million. Signing Vatanen was a top priority for the Ducks going into the offseason and they were able to get it done.

Vatanen will make $5 million in 2016-17, $5 million in 2017-18, $5 million in 2018-19, and $4.5 million in 2019-20. He has 98 points and a +25 rating in 194 career games with the Ducks. His 11 power play goals rank fifth among blueliners since 2014-2015 and is coming off a career-high 38 point season.

The Ducks were expected to trade Vatanen in order to make room for Hampus Lindholm, so this signing is a bit interesting. It’s quite possible that they could keep Lindholm, especially if they can trade Andersen, but now the Ducks must be careful because a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs or Buffalo Sabres might be willing to sign Lindholm to an offer sheet to force the Ducks’ hand. Lindholm, like Vatanen, is scheduled to become a restricted free agent.

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Vatanen has become one of the better power play point men in the NHL. Expect his role to increase, especially if the Ducks can’t retain Lindholm. He will be joining the Ducks after representing his home country Finland at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Vatanen will be under contract until he is 29 years old.

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