The Anaheim Ducks announced a six-year contract extension for forward Ryan Kesler on Wednesday. The deal carries an AAV of $6.875 million for a total of $41.25 million, according to Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times.
Kesler was acquired by the Ducks last summer in a trade that sent center Nick Bonino, defenseman Luca Sbisa, a first round pick (center Jared McCann), and a third round pick (traded to the Rangers in Derek Dorsett trade) in the 2014 draft.
According to Darren Dreger, Kesler has a no move clause in the first five years and a limited no trade in the final year of the extension.
Last season Kesler provide the center depth the Ducks hadn’t been able to count on previously, giving the team a grinding second line that could get the puck in the net. In 81 games, Kesler posted 20 goals and 27 assists.
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The new contract will kick in for the 2016-17 season and keep him on contract until the 2021-22 season, when Kesler will be 37. It’ll be a step up from the $5 million cap hit he’ll be for the 2015-16 season.
His contract finishes one year past when the contracts of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry will expire. Both are one year younger than Kesler. That means in the 2020-21 season the Ducks will have $23.75 million tied up in three players who are in their late 30s.
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Contract information courtesy of General Fanager.