Frank Vatrano Signs 3-Year Extension

Photo: NHL

By Michael Walters

Frank Vatrano signed a 3-year extension with the Anaheim Ducks today.

He announced the contract extension with a video on the Anaheim social media. Vatrano stated, “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.”

Vatrano’s 3-year extension is worth $18 million. According to Pierre Lebrun, he will get paid $3M a year in base salary, but then $9M in deferred salary. Starting in 2035, he will make $900,000 a year for 10 years, and his plan is to live outside of California when he is retired. The Ducks will benefit with deferred payments by having $4.57M AAV (instead of $6M AAV) on the deal.

In 2+ seasons with Anaheim, Vatrano has 121 total points (68 G + 53 A) in 200 games with the Ducks. He posted 22 goals in the 2022-23 season and 37 last season. He has 9 goals in 37 games this season and is on pace for 20 this season.

Analysis:

This is a smart and creative financial way to sign a contract, especially with the tax laws in California. The Ducks followed in the footsteps of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the deal they made with Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract, with $680 million in salary deferred for a decade. He’ll make $2 million per year until 2034 and then $68 million annually for the next 10 years.

The Ducks followed the blueprint of the Dodgers, but obviously on a smaller scale. Vatrano was in the last year of his contract making $3.65 million and was set to be a UFA in the 2025-26 season. With this deal he will be making less per season at $3 million for three years($9 million total), but then he gets the other $9 million spread out from 2035-2044. Vatrano could sign another extension with Anaheim in three years or another team and still benefit from the deferred $9 million.

Anaheim also benefits in this deal because of the nearly $1.5 million in cap hit savings for the next three years. The Ducks currently have about $17 million in cap space according to Puck Pedia.

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January 5th, 2025