Mighty Ducks Keep Sacco With Three-Year Contract

The Mighty Ducks continued the process of re-signing veterans Tuesday, announcing a new deal with right wing Joe Sacco, who had been a restricted free agent.

Sacco, 26, agreed to a contract that will pay him $1.45 million over three years--$450,000 next season and $500,000 in each of the final two years.

“Obviously I’m very excited. It gives me some security and it’s a good feeling that I don’t have to worry for three years,” Sacco said from his home in suburban Boston. “I guess hard work pays off.”

Sacco scored 18 points in 41 games last season but was third on the team in goals with 10 even though he struggled after returning from a broken thumb in February.

When contract talks were halted last fall by the NHL lockout, Sacco became an unrestricted free agent after playing out the option of his contract at $295,000. The previous season, his first with the Ducks, he scored a career-high 19 goals and 37 points.

The Ducks also announced they have agreed on a contract with minor-league defenseman Jason Marshall, 24. He appeared in one game with the Ducks at the end of the season.