Hebert Avoids Arbitration

The Mighty Ducks and goalie Guy Hebert agreed on a two-year contract Monday, enabling the team to avoid an arbitration hearing at the last minute for the second time in less than a week.

Hebert, 30, will receive more than $2.5 million a year, according to a source. The agreement is a prelude to a long-term deal, according to General Manager Jack Ferreira, who said they will begin working on an extension.

The negotiations had reached a standstill last week. Hebert’s arbitration hearing was scheduled for Monday, but the Ducks worked out a deal before the meeting, as they had Friday with defenseman Dmitri Mironov.

“They argued a strong case, but there was an indication of respect for Guy,” said Brian Cook, Hebert’s agent. “That made it easy to get the deal done.”

Hebert made $1.05 million last season, part of an incentive-laden three-year contract.

“We got a deal both parties can live with,” Cook said. “We’re not displeased with how it turned out. We now have a desire to lock Guy up in a long-term deal.”

Hebert had been seeking a five-year deal, which he hoped would allow him to finish his career with the Ducks. The two-year contract, which has a no-trade clause in the second year, was to give Hebert some initial security, according to Ferreira.

“That was the whole intention,” Ferreira said. “He agreed to the two years and we will continue to talk. This way he’s assured of the two years. That’s why I gave him the no-trade clause. It makes it a little more secure for him.”

Hebert is coming off his best season. He was tied for fifth among goalies in save percentage (.919) and had a 2.67 goals-against average. His 12-game unbeaten streak starting Feb. 22 was a big reason the Ducks reached the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time. They lost to Detroit in the second round.

The sides were about $700,000 apart as of last week, according to a source. Cook said Monday the “average salary of the top-10 goalies is between $2.8 million-$3.2 million per season.”

Goalie Ed Belfour signed a three-year $10-million contract with the Dallas Stars last month. Belfour was an unrestricted free agent. Hebert was a restricted free agent.

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Negotiations with Paul Kariya continue, but Ferreira is unconcerned about being outbid by another team. The New York Rangers recently offered restricted free agent Joe Sakic a $21-million deal, which the Colorado Avalanche is expected to match. The Rangers, who are seeking a high-profile forward, could make a run at Kariya.

“It’s a no-brainer for us,” Ferreira said. “We can afford to match it.”

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The Ducks signed free agent right wing Jeff Nielsen to a one-year deal, with an option on a second year.

Nielsen, 25, scored 27 goals for Binghamton, a Ranger affiliate in the American Hockey League. He was a fourth-round pick by the Rangers in 1990.