Mighty Ducks Regain Punch With Grimson

The Mighty Ducks acquired a fan favorite and a potential contract headache all in one Tuesday, bringing back popular enforcer Stu Grimson in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes.

In exchange for Grimson and defenseman Kevin Haller, the Ducks traded away defenseman David Karpa and a fourth-round pick in the 2000 entry draft.

Grimson, 33, an original Mighty Duck, was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1995. The Ducks expect Grimson and Jim McKenzie, acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes in June, to provide the protection lacking last season for superstars Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne.

“We’ve always missed him a little bit since he left,” Duck General Manager Pierre Gauthier said.

Said Grimson: “It’s an organization I know quite well. I was very happy when I was there.”

The Hurricanes had rejected Grimson’s demand to renegotiate his contract. Grimson has two years remaining--at $500,000 per season--on a five-year contract originally signed with Detroit.

“I recognize the fact it was my own actions that led me to commit myself to a five-year deal,” Grimson told the Raleigh News and Observer, “but the bulk of the players in my role are making almost twice what I’m making. I wasn’t content to sit . . . and let that happen.”

Gauthier said he was aware of Grimson’s demand but declined to say whether the Ducks would consider renegotiating.

Haller, 27, has played nine seasons in the NHL. Karpa, 27, joined the Ducks in 1995 and left as the team’s all-time leader in penalty minutes. He declined to comment when reached at home Tuesday.