Patrick Eaves played only 27 games with the Ducks after his arrival in a trade. It was all they needed to see from him when it came to deciding his future with them.
The Ducks agreed to terms with Eaves on a three-year contract extension Friday night after the veteran winger made an instant impact by scoring 11 of his career-high 32 goals with them and serving as an ideal fit on the right side of top-line center Ryan Getzlaf.
Eaves expressed a desire to return and eschewed the open market of unrestricted free agency as he'll make $3.3 million in 2017-18, $3.15 million in 2018-19 and $3 million in 2019-20. The Ducks will be charged $3.15 million against the salary cap, but that money became available by getting Vegas to take defenseman Clayton Stoner in Wednesday's expansion draft.
Retaining the no-maintenance Eaves, 33, helps ease the loss of the draft pick they sent to Dallas that became a first-round selection, the No. 29 pick in Friday's NHL entry draft at Chicago. He scored those 11 goals in 20 games, before adding another two in seven playoff contests.
The Ducks made it to the Western Conference finals but they clearly missed Eaves' presence and touch around the net after losing him to a high ankle sprain and bone bruise in his right foot during the second round against Edmonton. Eaves' return should help the power play, a major disappointment last season.
Ducks general manager Bob Murray expressed that Eaves might face a lengthy recovery but this summer but clearly the signing is an indication that it might not be something that will head into next season. The Ducks could start 2017-18 without three critical players in Ryan Kesler, Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen.
