Ducks Sidestep Arbitration, Sign Hebert

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

Hebert, 30, will make more than $2.5 million a year, one source said. 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.

Negotiations broke down last week and an arbitration hearing had been scheduled for Monday. But the Ducks worked out a deal before the meeting, as they had with defenseman Dmitri Mironov last Friday.

“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 originally was 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.”

Hebert, 30, is coming off his best season. He was tied for fifth among goalies in save percentage at .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 Ducks also signed free-agent right wing Jeff Nielsen to a one-year deal, with the club having an option on a second year.

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

Negotiations with Paul Kariya continue and Ferreira said he is unconcerned about being outbid. The Rangers recently offered restricted free agent Joe Sakic a $21-million deal, which the Colorado Avalanche is expected to match. The Rangers, seeking a high-profile forward, could also take a run at Kariya.

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