O’Donnell made his staying power clear

Sean O’Donnell has lived in Hermosa Beach for the last 12 years and has played an integral part in the Ducks’ ascent to the top of the NHL since they pulled him out of a losing situation in Phoenix at the 2006 trade deadline.

So when it came to his contract negotiations in June, O’Donnell made his priorities clear to General Manager Brian Burke.

“I spoke to Burkie briefly at the year-end meeting and let him know that I was very, very interested in staying and I’d be willing to take less than what I could possibly get out there,” O’Donnell said.

“If it was going to be anywhere close to what I think it should be, I’ll take it. I want to stay here. I live here, I love it here.”

All that it took for O’Donnell to sign his two-year, $2.5-million deal was a contract offer from Burke, one that he considered was fair. The veteran defenseman didn’t contain his glee when it was certain that he’d stay in Southern California.

“He called me right after he signed,” Ducks captain Chris Pronger said. “He was pretty excited.”

Said O’Donnell: “We’re going to compete for the next couple of years that I’m here. After winning, you kind of feel like a family and I want to be a part of that.”

O’Donnell, who turned 36 on Saturday, has become the ideal complement to Pronger on defense. Whenever Pronger decides to jump up in the play when the puck is in the offensive zone, O’Donnell is usually back to cover his partner in case the opposing team gains possession.

Both are equally capable of playing a physical game. Pronger was a finalist for the Norris Trophy last season, and he said he would not have been without O’Donnell beside him.

“We work well together,” Pronger said. “He’s been around a long time and understands his role on a team. We seem to know where one another is on the ice, and that’s half the battle.

“When you have that kind of chemistry with a partner, it makes the game a lot easier.”

O’Donnell, a 13-year veteran who has never played in an All-Star game, said Pronger’s words carry a lot of meaning.

“I’m never ever going to get to that kind of status or get those kind of accolades,” O’Donnell said. “So to have him speak on my behalf and kind of mention things he knows I can do and that maybe some people don’t notice, it means the world to me.”

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TODAY

vs. Minnesota, 5 p.m., FSN Prime Ticket

Site -- Honda Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 2-3-1, Wild 4-0-0.

Record vs. Wild (2006-07) -- 2-1-1.

Update -- Jean-Sebastien Giguere went through another full practice without any complications but stopped short of saying that he was ready for tonight’s game. In addition to all of training camp, Giguere has sat out the first six games while he recovers from sports hernia surgery performed Aug. 6.