Ducks’ Hampus Lindholm signs a six-year, $31.5-million extension

The final piece of the Ducks’ free-agent puzzle fell into place, and it appears it will all fit snugly for the immediate future.

After nearly four months of negotiation and some roster maneuvering, the Ducks signed defenseman Hampus Lindholm to a six-year contract extension Thursday worth $31.5 million. The deal pays $3 million this season and then $6 million, $6.75 million, $5.25 million, $3.75 million and $6.75 million in the ensuing years.

Lindholm, 22, said it was important to come back to a competitive team, specifically with a defensive unit that he is familiar with and believes is strong.

He just didn’t think it would take this long, starting from his free agency July 1.

“No, I was hoping to get this done in the summer, of course, but that’s just how it is,” Lindholm said. “I can’t do too much about that. You just have to get to the point where you agree and I think I’m really happy and I think they’re really happy. It was good this way because now I can play and they didn’t have to move anyone, and we still have the same team.”

Ducks General Manager Bob Murray said he doesn’t have to make a major trade to free up money, as was speculated because Anaheim is up against the salary cap. That means that defenseman Cam Fowler, subject of trade speculation, is staying put for now.

“I wanted to give this group another shot,” Murray said. “I’m going to do everything in my power to keep it that way.”

The deal was facilitated by defenseman Simon Des-pres’ placement on long-term injured reserve, so his $3.7 million salary is not on the books. Anaheim would have to move money out, probably via a trade, to be cap compliant once Despres comes off injured reserve from concussion symptoms.

Murray said that Des-pres, who is seeing specialists, could be out long term.

“The Despres situation is one that’s a very sensitive issue, and it’s one that my whole goal is to hopefully make it so that Simon, in the end of all this, lives a happy, healthy normal life, and it’s going to take some time before we get to that point,” Murray said.

Murray acknowledged leeway from Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli to complete the deal. Anaheim has not reached the salary cap ceiling since the era of former Ducks general manager Brian Burke.

With Lindholm, they secure a potential franchise cornerstone through the 2021-22 season. He is the closest the Ducks have to a true No. 1 defenseman, a mobile puck mover who was their leading defenseman scorer last season with 10 goals and led the them with 115 blocked shots.

Since his debut in 2013-14, Lindholm’s plus-61 rating is third among NHL defensemen.

That’s largely why Lindholm’s camp was reportedly seeking an extension worth around $5.5 million annually. Lindholm’s agent, Claude Lemieux, said Sunday that there wasn’t any progress. But there was urgency for both sides because Lindholm has already missed eight games.

“We did everything we could to get him signed at a fair price,” Murray said. “He’s only going to get better. It solidifies this organization.”

Lindholm is in Sweden and, like recently re-signed teammate Rickard Rakell, needs to obtain a work visa to return to California. Lindholm said he’s been practicing with a Swedish team and indicated he’s not far from being NHL game ready.

“I feel I’m in good shape,” he said. “I’m just excited to come over and play some good hockey again.”

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Update: Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf practiced during an optional skate as he recovers from an upper-body injury. Rakell is close to returning but the Ducks also want him to get in more practices. Defenseman Shea Theodore and forward Emerson Etem were assigned to San Diego. Columbus is finishing a four-game trip and is playing the second of back-to-back games.