Anaheim Ducks sign forward Sonny Milano to a two-year contract extension
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is reporting that forward Sonny Milano has signed a two-year contract extension with the Anaheim Ducks. The contract is reported to be worth $1.7 million AAV.
Milano is one of the newest Ducks, having been acquired by General Manager Bob Murray from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Devin Shore at the trade deadline. Milano played in 116 games over parts of five seasons with Columbus, not quite able to carve out a regular spot in the lineup with head coach John Tortorella.
Milano tallied a total of 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists) during his time in Columbus and added another five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in nine games for Anaheim, notably scoring on his first shot in a Ducks uniform in March. Long considered to have high-end offensive skill and potential, the 24-year-old left winger has put up decent underlying numbers in his career with a 50.2 shot attempt percentage and 51.76 expected goals percentage to go along with 3.7 goals above replacement according to Evolving Hockey.
The Milano extension was savvy negotiating from Bob Murray, as he locks up an arbitration eligible forward with plenty of potential for cheap while ensuring that Milano will still have one year remaining as an RFA when the contract expires.
For a team that is lacking in offensive creativity, having a player who can do this during a game has the potential to pay off for Anaheim.