Ducks retain defenseman Korbinian Holzer

He didn’t get into a game after his trade-deadline acquisition in March, but defenseman Korbinian Holzer struck a deal with the Ducks on Thursday that will keep him with the club through the coming season, barring injury.

Anaheim announced it signed Holzer to a one-year, one-way contract that a team official, who was unauthorized to speak publicly about team finances, said was worth $750,000.

Holzer, 27, was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs when the Ducks also moved to land defensemen Simon Despres and James Wisniewski. The glut of talent kept Holzer benched throughout the remaining regular-season games and the playoffs.

Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said he was sorry for the slight, but praised Holzer’s work ethic. In 58 games with the Leafs the 6-foot-3 Holzer had two goals and nine points with 55 penalty minutes.

The Ducks traded for defenseman Kevin Bieksa before losing veteran alternate captain Francois Beauchemin to the Colorado Avalanche in free agency on Wednesday, and the team returns regulars Despres, Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, Clayton Stoner and Sami Vatanen to the blue line.

The Ducks signed Bieksa to a two-year extension worth $8 million through the 2017-18 season.

Bieksa, 34, was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks this week as Anaheim resigned itself to the loss of veteran defenseman Francois Beauchemin to free agency. Beauchemin signed with the Colorado Avalanche.