Ducks Sign Friesen, Acquired in Selanne Deal, for Two Years

The Mighty Ducks signed left wing Jeff Friesen, the key player in last season’s Teemu Selanne deal, on Thursday, avoiding a holdout.

Friesen, who was acquired from the San Jose Sharks March 5, agreed to a two-year deal worth $5.5 million, plus incentive clauses on scoring. He will fill Selanne’s spot on the Ducks’ top line with Paul Kariya and Steve Rucchin.

His last two contract negotiations had been difficult. Friesen missed three games in 1997-98 and two in 1998-99.

“I’m more excited than I have ever been heading into a season,” said Friesen, whose base salary will be $2.5 million this season and $3 million in 2002-2003. “Contract squabbles are tough on you.”

The Ducks shed salary and age when they traded 31-year-old Selanne, the team’s most popular player. He will make $8.5 million this season with the Sharks. They acquired Friesen, 25, and goalie Steve Shields, plus a draft pick.

Friesen averaged 60 points from 1996-2000, with a career-best 31 goals and 63 points in 1997-98. But his production declined last season when he had 12 goals and 36 points in 64 games with the Sharks. Friesen’s play picked up after the trade. He had 12 points in 15 games with the Ducks.

His 48-point season, though, made it difficult to determine his market value.

“We shouldn’t downgrade his value too much because he had a down year offensively,” General Manager Pierre Gauthier said. “We found middle ground with this deal, that was able to address the fact that Jeff has been a successful player. Both felt we wanted to start this season on the right foot.”

Defenseman Niclas Havelid is the Ducks’ only unsigned player.