Anaheim Ducks sign Isac Lundestrom to two-year, $3.6 million contract

The Anaheim Ducks and 22-year old restricted free agent center Isac Lundestrom avoided arbitration and agreed to a two-year, $3.6 million contract ($1.8 million AAV) on Monday.

Lundestrom cashed in on his performance during the 2021-2022 season in which he notched 16 goals and 13 assists. However, his underlying numbers were not as impressive as his box score stats would suggest. His RAPM chart from the 2021-2022 season (shown below courtesy of Evolving Hockey) indicates that Lundestrom was a substantial liability in the offensive zone, failing to generate quality scoring chances and shot quantity. On the flip side, Lundestrom was good in the defensive zone when it came to suppressing quality chances and limiting opposing shots.

Lundestrom’s deal comes it at a relatively good value based on Evolving Hockey’s contract projections. While they predicted his most likely deal would come in at three years at $2.3 million AAV, the two-year projection on the model was $2.1 million AAV, as shown below.