By Ken Armer, Senior Ducks Writer for The Puck DropNot many teams can begin their offseason saying they already accomplished what they truly wanted to. Some can’t even complete the offseason saying they accomplished it, but not the Anaheim Ducks. For the Ducks it’s Mission Accomplished.
Today the Anaheim Ducks announced right wing Corey Perry has been signed a five-year contract, which will run through 2012-13. Per club policy, no financial terms of the deal were disclosed, but the contract is thought to be worth approximately $5.325 million per year.
“Corey is one of the top young players in the NHL today,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke in the Ducks Press release. “He’s a true Duck, a hard-nosed goal-scorer who’s difficult to play against.”
The 23 year old right wing scored 29 goals, 25 assists for 54 point with a +12 rating and 108 penalty minutes in 70 games last season. Perry was also selected as a 2008 All-Star. Perry ranked among the Ducks top scorers, and shattered career highs in goals, points, plus/minus, power play goals, game-winning goals, and shots. Perry finished the year leading the team in goals, second in points, and tied for second in game winning goals.
In only three games in the playoffs Perry recorded two goals, one assist, for three points along with eight penalty minutes.
Perry was drafted in the first round (28th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Perry has amassed a total of 59 goals, 64 assists, for 123 points, with a +25 rating and 213 penalty minutes in 208 career NHL games with Anaheim. Perry has appeared in 35 career playoff games with Anaheim, scoring 8 goals, 13 assists for 21 points recording 61 penalty minutes.
Perry was part of the 2007 Anaheim Ducks team who won the Stanley Cup, and is also a close friend to Ducks Center Ryan Getzlaf. Perry is among a group of young players in Anaheim who have amazing talent. Perry was expected to be a highly sought after restricted free agent, but now teams will be left wondering what if. Even if Perry had remained on the market, it seemed probable the right wing would return to Orange County.
Today and moving on into the free agent period, as teams rush to fill major gaps and find a way to win. The Ducks and Brian Burke can feel comfortable they have a sniper in Perry signed until 2012-13. Now all it will take is minor tweaks to minimize the cap hit, and get back Teemu Selanne, who is expected to also remain in Anaheim. For now, in Anaheim, its Mission Accomplished, but tomorrow will certainly bring a new challenge. I’m sure as soon as the Perry deal was finalized, Brian Burke was already on the phone looking to acquire someone new, or trying to get back Teemu Selanne.
Either way, its hockey’s version of Christmas and man is the future bright! Is it hockey season yet?
Original Source: Courtesy of Anaheim Ducks press release on the website.
Image: Courtesy of TSN
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