Saku Koivu will be back for a fourth year in Anaheim.
On Friday, the Ducks announced they signed the 38-year-old to a one-year, $2.5 million deal (with some performance bonuses.)
The Finnish center had a solid 2013 campaign, scoring 8G-19A in 47 games, racking up another 1G-2A in seven playoff appearances.
He’s been a solid, durable and dependable player ever since coming over from Montreal in 2009. Koivu has played in at least 86 percent of Anaheim’s games every season and is plus-17 since joining the Ducks.
News of Koivu’s signing came shortly after the club dealt Bobby Ryan and his $5.1 million cap hit to Ottawa in exchange for Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen and a future first-round pick.
By shedding Ryan’s salary, retaining Koivu was made that much easier -- the club also left the option open to bring back Finnish running mate Teemu Selanne and still reach deals with RFAs Kyle Palmieri and Matt Beleskey.