Ducks sign Vatrano to 3-year, $18M extension with deferred payments

Frank Vatrano signed a three-year extension with the Anaheim Ducks, the team and Vatrano announced in a social media video. The extension is an $18-million deal with deferred payments, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.

“Ever since my family and I got here three years ago, fans, teammates and staff, you’ve welcomed us with open arms,” Vatrano said in the video. “It’s something that we’ll be forever grateful for. I see how bright our future is here. We’re making turns in the right direction to build a winning culture and ultimately bring a Stanley Cup here to Anaheim. 

“I couldn’t be happier to say I’ve signed a three-year extension to stay on here in Anaheim. Excited to help this team grow and be a part of the future here.”

According to LeBrun, the Ducks got creative in the details of the Vatrano signing.

To bring down the salary cap hit, half of the $18 million total will be dispersed in $900,000 increments over 10 years starting in 2035. Vatrano’s base salary will be $3 million per year with an average annual value of $4.57 million against the salary cap.

LeBrun reported that the late start to the deferred payments will allow Vatrano to collect that money outside of the California tax system after his retirement.

The extension also comes with a seven-team no-trade list, according to PuckPedia.

“Frank is an important member of our team and is committed to the organization moving forward,” Ducks general manager Pat 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.”

Vatrano has tallied 121 goals and 53 assists in 200 games with Anaheim, and the 30-year-old led the Ducks in scoring last season with career highs in goals (37) and assists (23). Vatrano played the full 82 games for the first time in his career following 81-game seasons with Anaheim in 2023-24 and Florida in 2018-19.

It’s been a slower start to this season for Vatrano with nine goals and 11 assists in 37 games. Vatrano leads the Ducks in shots but is 15th in shooting percentage.

Vatrano has three assists in the last four games, but he has not scored a goal in the last eight games.