Duck Draft Pick to Report Before Signing

Chad Kilger, the fourth pick in the NHL draft in June, will report to training camp with the Mighty Ducks on Sunday even though he hasn’t signed a contract, agent Larry Kelly told General Manager Jack Ferreira Friday.

The move reflects Kilger’s eagerness to play for the Ducks and the restrictions of the NHL’s new entry-level salary cap, under which first-year players can make no more than $850,000 a year in base salary, but can negotiate performance bonuses.

Ferreira said the Ducks have offered Kilger, 18, a deal “very close” to the three-year, $2.4-million contract Aki-Petteri Berg, the third pick overall, signed with the Kings. Berg’s contract included a $150,000 bonus if he wins the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.

Though some agents predicted huge bonus clauses that could pay first-year salaries on the level of Eric Lindros, Alexandre Daigle or Paul Kariya, that hasn’t been the case with the early signings. Bryan Berard, the No. 1 pick in the draft, is planning to stay out of Ottawa’s camp because of stalled negotiations.

Kelly has indicated bonuses for team performances, such as making the playoffs, might be negotiated for Kilger.

“The encouraging thing is, he’s coming to camp,” Ferreira said. “That’s what happened with Pat Falloon [when Ferreira was GM in San Jose]. He came to camp without a contract and walked away with one.”