Swedish Defenseman Signs With Ducks

The Mighty Ducks Thursday signed defenseman Niclas Havelid, their third-round pick in this year’s draft, to a one-year contract with an option for a second year.

Havelid, 26, has played for Sweden’s national team and was one of the top defensemen in the Swedish League.

“He has the skill level to play in the National Hockey League,” Duck General Manager Pierre Gauthier said. “There is always an adaptation period with European players, especially older ones. My experience is that, in time, they do very well.”

With the signing of Havelid, Gauthier said he has completed an overhaul of the defense. He acquired Oleg Tverdovsky in a draft-day trade and then took Havelid. Both will improve the Ducks’ defensive speed.

In other news, the Ducks were outbid for center Tim Taylor, who signed a four-year, $5.8 million contact with the New York Rangers Thursday.