Ducks Re-Sign Niedermayer

Because the Mighty Ducks have made payroll reduction a priority, forward Rob Niedermayer easily could have thought he would be one of the odd men out this off-season.

But the Ducks consider Niedermayer a keeper and they signed him on Saturday to a one-year contract reportedly worth $2.1 million.

“Rob Niedermayer is the classic example of how we want to play,” said interim General Manager Al Coates. “He is a physical forward with size who really can skate and forecheck.”

Niedermayer had 12 goals and 28 points last season, when he was limited to 55 games because of groin injuries. With the NHL dealing with labor issues only weeks before the scheduled start of training camp, Niedermayer now knows where he’ll be once the hockey season actually begins.

“It’s a good feeling because I know the type of team that we have,” he said. “We’re only one year removed from going to the Stanley Cup finals and definitely still have a good makeup of core players.”

-- Lonnie White

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The Kings agreed to a two-year contract extension with forward Sean Avery, who had nine goals and 19 assists, both career highs, and led the NHL with 261 penalty minutes in 76 games last season.