The Anaheim Ducks have been one of the most impressive teams in the NHL during the lockout-shortened season and the team is taking a long-term view, as they signed Corey Perry to a multi-year extension on Monday.
According to ESPNLosAngeles.com, the Ducks announced the deal on Monday and said that Perry signed an eight-year, $69 million extension with the team that will keep the former MVP winner through the 2021 season. The contract will pay him nearly $9 million per year and gives the Ducks one of their most consistent scoring threats a home for nearly a decade.
The Ducks are second in the west and first in their division and now have locked up their top two players with eight-year contracts, as captain Ryan Getzlaf signed one just as long earlier in the month worth slightly less at $66 million. The two teammates were with the team when the Ducks won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and have played together on the same line for a number of years.
Anaheim is second in the league to the record-setting Chicago Blackhawks and are 21-3-4 to lead their division. Perry won the MVP award in 2011, scoring 50 goals for the first time in his career. He had 98 points during his award-winning year and he has scored over 25 goals in five consecutive seasons.
"Staying in Anaheim has always been my first choice," Perry said. "This is a great place to play, and I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to remain here. I want to thank the Samuelis and the entire Ducks organization for their belief in me. I'm pleased to have this done so our focus can remain on our ultimate goal -- bringing another Stanley Cup to Orange County."
The Ducks have 46 points this season and are ranked fourth in the league in scoring with over three goals per game. The goaltending has been excellent, ranking fourth with 2.4 goals per game, while the power play percentage is second in the league. The only knock on the team so far has been the penalty kill, which ranks 24th in the league with 78.6 percent.
