Devante Smith-Pelly signs two-year contract with Ducks
Just days before training camp is set to begin, the Anaheim Ducks finalized a new two-year contract with restricted free agent forward Devante Smith-Pelly. According to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register, Smith-Pelly will make $800,000 per season, which could be tremendous value for the promising 22-year-old.
The Ducks didn’t exactly make the most of Smith-Pelly’s entry-level contract, having only gotten 75 NHL games out of their young power forward over the life of that three-year deal. Getting a player that figures to play a much more prominent role over the next two years at $800,000 per year is extremely team-friendly. The term is helpful as well as it allows the Ducks to see what Smith-Pelly can do with that elevated role before making a longer-term commitment.
Smith-Pelly, a former second-round draft pick, does get a slight raise – about $80,000 per year – from his base salary on his last contract.
Over his first 75 games in the NHL, Smith-Pelly has 23 points including 10 over 19 games last season. He was part of the Ducks’ playoff run last season as well, where he had five goals in 12 postseason tilts.
The 6-foot, 225-pound forward played 49 games with the Ducks as a 19-year-old rookie before appearing in just seven during his sophomore campaign in 2012-13. He was a standout offensive performer with the Norfolk Admirals in the American Hockey League last season with 43 points in 55 games including 27 goals.
It would appear that Smith-Pelly is ready for his role as a full-time NHLer after what he showed at the end of last season. Additionally, this is a one-way deal according to Stephens, so the Ducks obviously feel he’s ready to stick with the big club as well.
With the Ducks having added Ryan Kesler in the offseason and making a few other moves, the club will be looking to be a contender in 2014-15. Younger players like Smith-Pelly helping take on more offensive responsibility could certainly help Anaheim's chances. Additionally, Smith-Pelly brings an abrasive, physical game to the table which can help the Ducks keep pace with other heavy teams in the Western Conference, especially their Pacific Division rivals, the Los Angeles Kings.
Getting Smith-Pelly under contract and making sure he didn’t miss any time in training camp is obviously mutually beneficial, but for the Ducks to get him at such a fair price is an added bonus.
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