Hebert Earning His Keep--and More

You can call goalie Guy Hebert the Ducks’ iron man, but a precious metal would be more appropriate.

Hebert--who has started 39 of the Ducks’ last 40 games--is on the verge of maximizing the bonuses on his unorthodox contract to earn $1.3 million this season, triggering a renegotiation of the incentive-laden deal he signed in 1995.

Any one of five achievements--including the Ducks making the playoffs, finishing with a winning record or Hebert remaining among the NHL’s top five in save percentage--will clinch the escalating bonus for the second season in a row. Hebert will earn $400,000 more than the original $900,000 he signed for before last season.

The deal was a creative solution to a stalemate between General Manager Jack Ferreira and Hebert’s agent, Brian Cook. Cook said Hebert deserved to be paid like the league’s established No. 1 goalies. The Ducks thought he was only on the verge of that level and needed to show he could help carry the team to the playoffs. Cook bet on Hebert’s talent and won.

“I think he thought I’d be able to attain goals maybe even I didn’t even think I’d be able to attain,” said Hebert, who triggered the bonus last season by finishing fourth in the NHL in save percentage.

The Ducks hardly feel like losers in the deal: “Any time somebody performs like that, you’re glad to write the check,” club President Tony Tavares said.

*

Defenseman J.J. Daigneault had an assist as he returned from a 10-game NHL suspension for hitting referee Don Koharski with his stick Feb. 23.