Anaheim Ducks Sign Nick Bonino To Three Year Extension

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Anaheim Ducks have locked up center Nick Bonino to a contract extension of three years worth $4.7 million – an AAV of $1.57 million.

The 25-year old center is well on his way to smashing his career highs, as through 27-games this season Bonino has tallied 16 points (7 G, 9 A) – two off his career mark of 18.

After scoring 50-points in 44 games as a Boston University Terrier, Bonino has struggled to find his scoring touch at the NHL level, until this year as his seven goals has him tied with Dustin Penner for the third most goals on the team behind Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. His current pace would net him 21 on the season, easily a career high.

With the Ducks struggling to find any secondary scoring behind the PPG line, Bonino has been a much needed boost. Averaging 15:57 of ice time a game, Bonino has four points in the last four games, and his offensive production not going unoticed.

Averaging the fifth most time on ice during the power play on the team – more than Teemu Selanne and Dustin Penner – Bonino has two goals with the man advantage, and his contributions isn’t limited to putting the puck in the net.

Bonino has won more power play faceoffs than any other Duck, and ranks 15th in the NHL with 26 power play faceoff wins.

Bonino’s current pace is right along the lines of what you might expect out of an average second line center, so getting a player who can produce at that level and only take up $1.57 million against the cap is a win for the Ducks and for Bonino.

Anthony Murphy is the Editor for Pucks of A Feather. You can reach him by email amurphy540@pullinamurph.com or follow him on Twitter @AMurphyTFC.