The Anaheim Ducks have announced the re-signing of restricted free-agent (RFA)
winger Ondrej Kase to a new three-year contract. The average annual value (AAV)
 of the contract is $2.6 million.

Ducks announce signing of RFA right wing Ondrej Kase to three-year contract.
Hearing it's worth $7.8 million total. $2.6M AAV.

- Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) August 15, 2018

Kase, who erupted for 20 goals last season, gets a nice raise from his
entry-level salary while the Ducks are set up to receive good value with the
AAV being under $3 million. The 22-year-old Czech forward should continue to
build upon his breakout campaign, though even just a repeat of last year';s
performance would represent a great return on Anaheim';s investment.Kase an
Integral Player for Ducks

Originally a seventh-round draft pick (205th overall) by the Ducks in 2014,
Kase has already blown the associated expectations with that draft position out
 of the water. He thrived last season in an energy-producing role for the
Ducks, picking up 20 goals and 18 assists in 66 regular-season games after
totaling just five goals and 10 helpers in 53 contests the year prior. His
underlying numbers were also excellent, as he had the best raw possession mark
(denoted by Corsi-for percentage) at 5-on-5 play of anyone on the team. Kase
also created goals with eye-popping efficiency.

On an aging team that needs to rely more on strong youth in order to remain a
contender, Kase represents someone of critical importance. Beyond just his
depth scoring, which could soon start to creep up towards a "primary scoring"
label, Kase provides speed, tenacity, and an overall energy boost on a Ducks
squad that is otherwise a bit too bereft of that.Ondrej Kase and the Ducks have
 agreed to a three-year contract worth an average of $2.6 million per season.
(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

When those attributes complement an ever-improving scoring touch, the results
are often special, and that is something that';s not lost on general manager
Bob Murray.

"Ondrej is a skilled player that has a bright future in this league," said
Murray following the announcement of Kase';s new contract. "He can skate and
score, and will continue to improve as a player as he gains more
experience."Kase';s Contract the Perfect Balance

Taking into consideration the salary projection model created by Hockey
Graphs'; Matt Cane, as well as Brandon Montour';s new contract and Kase';s
meteoric ascension in 2017-18, I previously wrote that the Ducks might pay Kase
 closer to $3 million per season on a short-term deal (i.e., two years). That
wasn';t far off, but the Ducks did even better in locking up the youngster for
an additional year at less than $3 million per.

Anaheim gets a rising young forward with offensive abilities for three years
instead of just two, and for a fraction of the cost of most 20-goal scorers who
 are past their entry-level contracts (ELCs). From a value standpoint, the
Ducks should get quite a lot. For Kase, he still gets to experience a nice
raise of almost $2 million per season, with the prospect of an even bigger
payday waiting three years down the road if he continues to improve. He';s set
to become an RFA again in 2021.



With respect to Anaheim';s salary cap situation, they now have about $6.1
million in cap space with three roster spots needing to be filled. ELCs-perhaps
 including that of Troy Terry-figure to make up two of those spots, with the
last spot being for Nick Ritchie';s new contract. He is the Ducks'; only
remaining RFA.

The Ducks will likely still face some tough roster decisions a year from now
because of the salary cap, but Kase';s contract gives them a bit more
flexibility three seasons from now, which-perhaps by design or not-is the last
year for Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf in each of their mega-contracts. While
Getzlaf';s standing on the club is safe at this point, Perry could be on the
way out, or at the very least back on a major discount after 2020-21. That
opens up more possibilities for the Ducks down the road, but until then,
Kase';s contract should benefit them significantly.

The post Kase';s New Contract Great Value for Ducks appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

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