Ducks extend Corey Perry for eight years, $69 million

The Ducks on Monday signed wing Corey Perry to an eight-year, $69-million extension that barely exceeds the $66-million extension the team gave center Ryan Getzlaf this month.

Calling the signing “a major relief,” Perry said Getzlaf’s signing March 8 and the team’s 20-3-4 record before Monday night’s game against San Jose were major factors in his decision.

“A lot of guys in that dressing room will be here for a long time, this is a team that can contend every year,” Perry said during Monday’s second intermission, with the Ducks leading San Jose 4-2 in pursuit of their club-record 12th straight win at Honda Center.

Perry, 27, has nine goals and 15 assists through 25 games this season, although he’s suspended through the Ducks’ crucial showdown with the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday after delivering a hard hit at Minnesota last week.

Perry was the NHL’s Hart Trophy winner in 2010-11, when he had 50 goals and 48 assists.

The 2010 Olympic gold medalist from Canada was on the Ducks’ 2007 Stanley Cup championship team and has scored 96 goals since the start of the 2010-11 season, second in the NHL to Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos.

“Staying in Anaheim has always been my first choice,” Perry said in a statement. “This is a great place to play, and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to remain here. ... I’m pleased to have this done so our focus can remain on our ultimate goal — bringing another Stanley Cup to Orange County.”

Getzlaf and Perry are close friends and members of the Ducks’ first line. Upon signing his deal, Getzlaf said he would work to convince the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Perry to join him in extending his stay with the Ducks.

“Knowing I could play with him the rest of my career,” trumped the uncertainty of free agency, Perry said. “It’s always on your mind. You sit and wait. You think about,” possibly being traded.

“It’s definitely a weight lifted off your shoulders. I don’t have to hear about trade rumors.”

Perry said seeing that relief in Getzlaf moved him.

“I’m happy it’s over and done with. It was a huge factor that he stayed. We’re great friends. When something like that happens, it definitely helps. I called him” Sunday “night, that this is where I wanted to be. I’ve made a home here. It’s a class act.”

“We are excited that Corey has committed to us for the next eight years,” General Manager Bob Murray said in a statement. “Similar to the case with Ryan Getzlaf, Corey wanted to stay in Anaheim and be part of our organization long term. He is an exceptional player who competes with heart and soul and has won at every level.”

Murray called Monday “ a huge day,” noting team owners Henry and Susan Samueli made “a huge commitment … we said all along it was our priority. I’m very happy to get two elite players, two winners … it gives us something to build around and win a Stanley Cup.”

Perry agent Mark Guy of Newport Sports said, “Corey is very excited to remain a Duck for the next eight years and he hopes he can be one of the few players to play their entire career on one uniform. Corey made it clear ...that it was his goal to sign in Anaheim long term. He believes strongly that the Ducks are committed to winning championships and that was a big factor in his decision to sign a deal now and avoid free agency in July.”

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