Ducks, Rickard Rakell reach 6-year, $22.8M deal

Rickard Rakell has ended his contract standoff with the Ducks, with the talented forward signing a six-year deal Friday that will pay him $22.8 million.

Rakell’s agent, Peter Wallen, confirmed the agreement to the Orange County Register. The new contract for the restricted free agent will carry a $3.8 million salary cap hit. Wallen said the contract does not contain a no-movement clause.

A corrective surgery Sept. 17 to remove scar tissue from his appendectomy in March kept Rakell from playing for Sweden in the World Cup of Hockey. His recovery also removed any added urgency to report to training camp Sept. 23.

It allowed the two sides to continue working on an extension while Rakell got well. Talks never ceased even when a gap persisted, but indications were emerging that both were building a bridge, presenting the possibility a deal could be reached sooner than later.

“Both parties really wanted it,” Wallen said. “We appreciate they really wanted Rickard to sign long-term. That’s a commitment from their side. They are telling Rickard how high they value him and they think he’s a great asset. Obviously both parties are very happy.”

Rakell, 23, had a breakout 2015-16 season with the Ducks. His 20 goals and 23 assists set personal highs and the forward’s role is expected to be expanded this season, with him either playing center or on the wing within the top two lines.

Wallen said Rakell is fully healed and has been working out daily, with the expectation of skating Friday and stepping up the levels of intensity in his practices.

“We’re hoping he will be back within two weeks,” the agent said.

Rakell will need to secure a work visa before joining the Ducks, which Wallen hopes will be done in Stockholm within three to five business days after an appointment time is made.

The Ducks are still left with signing defenseman Hampus Lindholm, another critical player coming off an entry-level deal and seeking a long-term commitment. Lindholm and Winnipeg’s Jacob Trouba are the remaining two restricted free agents without a contract.

But the Ducks now have one sticky situation off their plate. The Ducks have gained some cost certainty with a player they’ll count on for offensive production, while also buying up two years of unrestricted free agency that Rakell could have had.

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Wallen called it “a very good contract” in which there were “two winners.”

“I think the Ducks are very happy beause they got him at the number they wanted,” Wallen said. “I think we were asking for the right level and I think the team respected that.”