Selanne’s Deal Widely Approved

Reaction was universally positive to the news that the Ducks had given Teemu Selanne a two-year contract extension worth $19.5 million. If anyone deserves a fat new contract, the Ducks believe it’s Selanne.

“Is he buying dinner tonight in Phoenix?” cracked goaltender Guy Hebert.

Then, in a more serious tone, Hebert added, “How are they not going to give him an extension? He’s carried the team all season long.”

Joked defenseman David Karpa, “He’s only 27, so you know he’s got a few years left.”

*

Everyone seems to have a favorite postgame Selanne story. General Manager Jack Ferreira tells this one:

“Last year, we played in Calgary and we lost. It must have been minus-20 [degrees] . . . and there was a group of maybe 20 kids waiting outside. . . . Teemu had just a sports coat on. He must have thought it was Helsinki or something. But he stood out in the freezing cold, making sure every kid got an autograph.”

TONIGHT at Phoenix

* 6 PST

* Fox Sports West 2

Site--America West Arena.

Radio--KRLA (1110), KCKC (1350).

Records--Ducks 24-39-11, Coyotes 29-32-12.

Record vs. Coyotes--1-2.

Update--The Coyotes scored five second-period goals and defeated the Ducks, 5-1, Wednesday at the Arrowhead Pond.