Forget all the rumors. Forget all the question marks. Forget what conventional wisdom tells us about re-signing super star free-agents in professional sports. That was all been tossed haphazardly out the window by the Anaheim Ducks when they announced that soon-to-be unrestricted free-agent Corey Perry would indeed be re-upped for eight more years.
The news broke after the first period of Anaheim's 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks at the Honda Center. The deal is reportedly worth $69 million for an average of $8.63 million per year.
Perry's deal comes a little over a week after team captain Ryan Getzlaf signed an 8-year $66 million dollar extension of his own. Both contracts are max deals under the terms of the new CBA. Ducks' fans no longer have to worry about losing either of the clubs biggest and brightest stars until somewhere around the year 2021.
Perry seemed thrilled to get his contract status out of the way.
"Staying in Anaheim has always been my first choice," Perry said. "This is a great place to play, and I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to remain here. I want to thank the Samuelis and the entire Ducks organization for their belief in me. I'm pleased to have this done so our focus can remain on our ultimate goal -- bringing another Stanley Cup to Orange County."
Perhaps the extra days off the 27-year-old received via a 4-game suspension for an illegal hit on Jason Zucker was all the time he and Ducks GM Bob Murray needed to get the deal done.
LAst week it seemed like both sides were miles apart and a deal would not be worked out during the season and then -
BLAM-O, this.
Keeping Perry had to be done. It was the righ this to do for both Perry and the Ducks organization. It's not everyday that a team has a player of Perry's caliber on their roster with a chance to keep him around for many years to come.
I mean #10 did earn league MVP honors in 2011, which was also the same year he carted home the Richard Trophy after scoring 50 goals for the first time in his career. He's also netted at least 27 goals in five of his first seven full NHL seasons. (I know I'm impressed.)
Perry has 453 points in 555 regular season games, to go along with 43 points in 54 career playoff games - all with the Ducks.
The victory over the Sharks was merely the icing on what has already been one heck of a sweet season for the Ducks and their fans. Anaheim improved to 21-3-4 and appears to be cruising towards the finish line of this shortened NHL season. Yes, this is the same team that missed the playoffs a year ago and two of the last three seasons.
The good news is...that seems like a million years ago or in both Perry and Getzlaf's case, over $65 million years ago.
Now that Anaheim's dazzling duo are locked up tight, perhaps the team can set their sights on bringing the Stanley Cup back down the 5 freeway and into Orange County - where it belongs.
One last thought....with Anaheim's core intact, where does that leave east coast born Bobby Ryan? Could economics force him to become the odd man out of Anaheim.
What do you think? Is Ryan trade bait for the Ducks?
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