ANAHEIM –– The Ducks have agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $18 million with winger Frank Vatrano, both the team and player announced on Sunday morning.
According to multiple confirmed reports, the deal included $9 million in payouts during the pact’s duration –– between the 2025-26 and 2027-28 seasons ––and another $9 million in deferred payments over the decade to follow. The arrangement eases Vatrano’s cap hit downward from $6 million to $4.57 million in a hard-capped league and also gives Vatrano options to save on state income taxes down the line, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.
Vatrano, who will turn 31 in March, signed as a free agent with the Ducks entering the 2022-23 season after playing for the Boston Bruins, who signed him as an undrafted free agent out of UMass-Amherst, as well as the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers. Vatrano enjoyed a breakout season last year as he was 30 when he hit the 30-goal mark for the first time, leading the Ducks in game-winning goals (7), power-play goals (13), overall goals (37) and points (60) in his first ever All-Star campaign.
“I see how bright our future is and we are making turns in the right direction to ultimately bring a Stanley Cup to Anaheim,” Vatrano said in a statement. “I couldn’t be happier to sign a three-year extension, and I am excited to help this team grow and be a big part of our future.”
At last season’s trade deadline, rumors swirled that Vatrano might be available and ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported there were serious discussions about sending him back to the Rangers. Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said after the deadline that nothing was imminent and that he valued Vatrano. Sunday, he put the Ducks’ checkbook behind his statements.
“Frank is an important member of our team and is committed to the organization moving forward,” Verbeek said in a statement. “He is a hard-nosed, competitive player with a gift for scoring goals. We couldn’t be happier for Frank to sign for three more years.”