Leclerc Stays With Ducks

The Mighty Ducks announced Tuesday they have signed left wing Mike Leclerc, one of their top players in the playoffs, to a two-year deal worth $2.9 million.

Leclerc, 26, scored two game-winning goals against Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals and tied for the team lead with nine assists in the playoffs.

Leclerc was limited to 57 regular-season games because of a knee injury that required surgery last November and again after the playoffs. He had nine goals and 19 assists during the regular season, his seventh with Anaheim.

The Ducks also signed Cam Severson, a physical left wing who played in two games for Vancouver last season. He had 12 goals and 156 penalty minutes in 71 games last season with Cincinnati of the American Hockey League.

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On the final day to sign players who had been under contract with European teams, the Kings signed three.

Defenseman Denis Grebeshkov, the Kings’ 2002 first-round pick, signed a three-year contract worth $3.37 million with incentives that could increase the deal to $3.55 million.

Defenseman Martin Strbak, a veteran of several European leagues, and forward Esa Pirnes, the Kings’ sixth-round selection in last month’s draft, each signed one-year deals with one-year club options.

Grebeshkov, 19, spent last season in the Russian Super League after being drafted No. 18 overall. Grebeshkov won a gold medal with Russia in the World Junior Championships last January when he led all players in plus/minus with plus-11.

King General Manager Dave Taylor compared Grebeshkov, 6 feet 1 and 195 pounds, to former King defenseman Mathieu Schneider, now with Detroit.

“He’s not a real big defenseman but he’s very efficient at moving the puck up ice and supporting the play,” Taylor said. “I wouldn’t call him a top offensive guy like a [Sergei] Zubov, but he’s a player with very high upward potential.”

Strbak, 28, had four goals, nine assists and 68 penalty minutes in 20 games last season with HPK Hameelinna of the Finnish Elite League. Strbak, 6-2 and 200 pounds, could become a starter before Grebeshkov does, Taylor said.

“We think Martin just with his experience alone would be able to step into our lineup,” Taylor said. “He’s got good size and a good reach.”

Pirnes, 26, scored a team-high 23 goals in 56 games last season with Tappara of the Finnish League. He led all scorers in the Finnish League playoffs with 14 points in 15 games to help Tappara win the championship.

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Talks between the Kings and Luc Robitaille have not progressed, Taylor said.

“It’s been quiet on that front since July 1,” Taylor said. “We’ve had discussions with [agent] Pat Brisson and exchanged proposals. There hasn’t been much new.”