The Anaheim Ducks have signed left wing, Nicolas Deslauriers, to a two-year, $2M, contract extension.
Nicolas Deslauriers is here to stay! At least, for the next two years. Yesterday, the Anaheim Ducks announced that they have signed the 28-year-old left-wing to a two-year, $1M AAV, contract extension through the 2021-22 season.
When he was acquired by the Anaheim Ducks, from the Montreal Canadiens, prior to the season, many fans were appalled that Bob Murray would give up a 4th round draft pick for a player who had barely eclipsed 5 points in 2018-19. In fact, just hours after GMBM acquired him, I wrote about the confusing nature of this trade.
However, we all know how much Murray loves his reclamation projects, and Deslauriers seemed to fit the bill. Nevertheless, it didn’t take long for the career fourth-liner to fight his way (literally) into the hearts of Anaheim Ducks fans. While it was first believed that he would just add to the log jam, he has rounded out the fourth line with Derek Grant and Carter Rowney quite nicely.
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It was predicted by several sources that Nic wouldn’t be a permanent fixture in the Anaheim Ducks bottom six. To begin the season, he was in and out of the lineup, sharing fourth line duty with Devin Shore. Nevertheless, he has secured himself a spot as a roster regular throughout the last 30+ games.
He fits Murray’s MO as a physical player, using his large 6’3”, 219 lb, frame to generate 109 hits on his opponents and draw 80 PIM, good enough for second on the team in both categories. Whether you like fighting in hockey or not, it’s hard to deny this his 12 fights this season have added an entertainment factor to an otherwise usually boring Anaheim Ducks team.
While his presence on the ice has been a nice surprise, his presence off the ice has always been a sweet surprise as well. Deslauriers has been involved in several of the Ducks charity events this season and, if you follow him on social media at all, you may have seen him, from time to time, spend some time with the younger players away from the ice.
Nicolas Deslauriers is a better player than many of us might make him out to be. His presence is Anaheim has been well received. He may not make an impact on the score sheet, but the 28-year-old forward adds an important layer of depth to the bottom six.
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