The Anaheim Ducks have signed center Ryan Kesler to a six-year contract extension worth a reported $41.25 million, the club announced today.
That means Kesler, 30, will have a cap hit of $6.875 million starting in 2016-17 and through 2021-22. He still has one year left on his current deal, with a cap hit of $5 million.
Kesler had 20 goals and 27 assists last season with the Ducks, his first in Anaheim after being traded there from Vancouver. A former Selke Trophy winner, he added seven goals and six assists in 16 playoff games.
The Ducks are gambling that Kesler, a veteran of 736 NHL games, can maintain his level of play, along with fellow 30-year-old forwards Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, each of whom are signed through 2020-21 for a combined cap hit of almost $17 million.
$6.875 aav for Kesler. No move clause in first 5 yrs. limited no trade in final year of extension.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 15, 2015
Related: Boudreau has ‘never coached a team in the NHL’ with a 2C like Kesler
