Thursday, July 01, 2010

Koivu Re-Signs in Anaheim

Good thing for the Anaheim Ducks, Saku Koivu was not relying on Teemu Selanne's decision to come back, as Koivu has signed a new 2-year deal worth $5 million on July 1st to stay in Anaheim a little while longer.  Koivu joined the Ducks in July 2009 as an unrestricted free agent and has now decided against using unrestricted free agency again to move within the league.  There should also be no discussion about Koivu's playing future for another couple years anyways.

In 2010 with the Ducks, Koivu had 19 goals and 33 assists in 71 games, ramping up his league ranking from 130th in 2009 to 112th, 84th among all forwards.  You can definitely say he had a bit of a resurgence in Anaheim, which was likely the reason for him to stay with the team.

ForwardsDefenseGoalies
Corey PerryLubomir VisnovskyJonas Hiller
Ryan GetzlafToni LydmanCurtis McElhinney
Saku KoivuSteve Eminger
Jason BlakeSheldon Brookbank
Todd Marchant
Dan Sexton
Joffrey Lupul
Kyle Chipchura
Ryan Carter
George Parros

The Ducks are not quite the same as they were in July of 2009, with some key names departed and some unsigned, there is a different feel to this club, less than 12 hours into free agency.

Salary CapWith the Koivu signing done, Toni Lydman added to the list, the Ducks now have 16 players signed on for the 2011 season at an approximate annual cap hit of $40.9 million. This is just another team taking the budgeted approach to the 2011 season, possibly trying to find that home run of a player that will make them look extra savvy down the stretch. The Ducks are still expecting to sign Bobby Ryan and James Wisniewski, two of their key restricted free agents.

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