The Anaheim Ducks Re-sign Brandon Montour for Two More Years
The Anaheim Ducks have had a busy off-season. However, Bob Murray still has plenty of items left to check off this summer on his “to do” list. One of the most anticipated was re-signing restricted free agent defenseman, Brandon Montour.
The 24-year-old defenseman, Brandon Montour, was the only Anaheim Ducks player to file for salary arbitration during the off-season. It was reported on Sunday, by Elliotte Friedman, that the Ducks and Montour had exchanged arbitration briefs. The Ducks wanted a two-year contract worth $1.5M per year. Montour, on the other hand, wanted a one-year contract worth about $4.75M.
An arbitration hearing between the two parties had been scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Toronto. Although it didn’t seem like a long-term deal could be worked out, Ducks Nation doubted that Brandon Montour and the Ducks would even get as far as a hearing. However, the Anaheim Ducks left everyone hanging on the edge of their seats as Tuesday morning approached. With no agreement having been reached yet, it looked like an arbitrator would be the one to render the final decision.
In the midst of our anxious anticipation, the Ducks announced on Tuesday morning (at approximately 10 am PST) that they had signed Brandon Montour to a new contract. His extension is a two-year bridge deal through the 2019-20 season. Montour will be paid $3.25M and $3.52M the next two seasons making the total value $6.77M. He will also remain an RFA at the expiration of this contract.
Boom!!🔥 So excited to be apart of this group for another two years let’s go!@anaheimducks ☀️🌴 https://t.co/puBlcpGK7p
— Brandon Montour (@MontourBrandon) July 24, 2018
Playing the Devil’s Advocate
I am going to play the devil’s advocate here for just a moment. So, please, indulge me.
In retrospect, the terms of this contract are a tad worrisome. Brandon Montour has only played 128 games dressed as a Duck, or any NHL team for that matter. During his first season, he played a minimal amount of games. If we want to judge what kind of player Montour is, our sample size is reduced to one season, plus a handful of games in 2016-17. Montour and the Ducks both agreed that he doesn’t quite have enough experience yet for a long-term contract.
“For the msot part, as a player, I didn’t really know what exactly I am right now. I know my strenghts and believe in myself helping this team and being a key contibutor to my team as of now and moving forward. We all agreed with a shorter term. Getting better as we keep goining on. I’ve only played close to 150 games. The shorter term was the best fit for the both of us. -Brandon Montour, Anaheim Ducks defenseman, to AnaheimDucks.com.
How does the evidence suggest that Montour is worth a two-year contract of $6.77M?
It is reasonable to suggest that the recent arbitration ruling with Jacob Trouba, a defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets, may have weakened the Ducks bargaining position. Although it was not a long-term contract or worth as much as he wanted, an arbitrator awarded Trouba a one-year $5.5M contract just days before Montour’s scheduled hearing.
Maybe Trouba, who has been playing in the NHL longer than Montour, deserved his big payday. However, how could the Ducks justify paying Montour $1.5M per year when a player, who has very similar stats, is now making over five million in one season?
The other thing to consider is the fact that Montour only has two-years on this contract. At the end of the 2019-20 season, Montour and the Ducks are going to need to go through negotiations all over again.
If Montour continues to significantly improve and be a consistent asset on the blueline, his pay raise for his next contract is going to be huge. Although the salary cap will go up, as it does every season, it could still pose a problem for the Ducks if they aren’t careful with other contract negotiations over the next few seasons.
Getting What He Deserves
If you know me at all, you know I’m a huge fan of #26. However, I think Montour’s new contract was a little steep in price. If I were Bob Murray, I would have settled for signing him for anywhere between four to five million for the next two seasons. I, however, am not a GM and I have full confidence he knows what he is doing. Nevertheless, I think Brandon Montour got a contract on the high side, but still fair.
The 2017-18 season was a breakout one for Montour. He has only played 128 games with the franchise, but when the season of injury, that never seemed to end, began, Montour quickly proved himself to be a valuable asset. With nine goals, 23 helpers, and 32 points in 80 games, he ranked second among the Anaheim Ducks defenseman in goals and points.
The power play, which has been a point of inconsistency for the Anaheim Ducks, improved because of Montour and his contribution of five goals and seven assists. His five game-winning goals are nothing to complain about either.
I am not saying that Brandon Montour is flawless on the blueline. I’d be lying through my teeth if I didn’t admit that he has his struggles. However, compared to the Ducks other d-men, he is still somewhat inexperienced.
There is so much untapped potential that I believe is going to be let out over the next few seasons, especially if he’s paired with Cam Fowler. As the Brantford, Ontario native gets a little more NHL seasoning, it’s evident that Montour could become the partner everyone thinks Fowler deserves.
With more consistency in the line-up this next season (fingers crossed at least), Brandon Montour is going to do great things for this team. Hopefully, he continues to improve in the areas where he is lacking proper skills as well as stay consistent in the areas where he is already solid. If that is the case, I wouldn’t be surprised if, at the end of the 2019-20 season, Murray decides to keep #26 around for a lot longer. It is no secret that Montour wants to stick around Anaheim for the long haul.
“I’ve told plenty of people I love it in Anaheim. How could you not? The staff and my teammates. Everything is unbelievable. The time I’ve had there so far has been great. Hopefully I get better each and every game, every year in the next two. The goal is to get that long-term deal. Hopefullyw e can take some time now to digest. Not have to worry about this anymore. Focus on the year, which will be nice. I want to be a Duck for a long time. That’s what I’m going to strive to do.” -Brandon Montour, Anaheim Ducks defenseman, on long term contract.
dark. Next. A Duckling Line Would Give a Needed Boost
Bob Murray and the Anaheim Ducks still have many more moves they can make this summer. Plenty of questions up in the air about contract negotiations with Ondrej Kase and Nick Ritchie. Let’s just hope, for our sanity, we don’t have to wait until October to find out what Murray is up to.