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Anaheim Ducks Sign Free Agent Forward Antoine Vermette

By Ryan Ritchie

Jan 21, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette (50) looks on during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette (50) looks on during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Anaheim Ducks Sign Unrestricted Free Agent Forward Antoine Vermette to Two-Year Deal

Announced Monday, the Anaheim Ducks have signed unrestricted free agent forward Antoine Vermette to a rumored two-year $3.5 million dollar contract. This comes exactly two weeks after the Arizona Coyotes bought out the 34-year-old veteran.

Vermette is coming off a 17 goal – 38 point performance in 2015-16 with the Coyotes. He re-joined the team after serving as a rental for Chicago en route to their Stanley Cup win in 2015.

Antoine was originally selected 55th overall (2nd round) by Ottawa back in 2000 after proving to be a highly productive QMJHL player with Victoriaville.

He had immediate success in year one (2002-03) of pro hockey with AHL Binghamton posting 62 points as a rookie. In 2003-04, Vermette made his NHL debut and had a decent season with 14 points in 57 games. Forced back to AHL Binghamton in 2004-05 (lockout), Antoine managed to produce 73 points in 78 games.

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He re-joined the Senators in 2005-06 where he would spend the better part of the next four seasons. Vermette accumulated 153 points in 302 games with Ottawa over that span before being traded to Columbus in March 2009 for Pascal Leclaire and a draft pick.

Although going pointless as the Blue Jackets were swept in four games in 2009, he did post 13 points in 17 games down the final stretch.

Antoine spent the majority of the next three seasons in Columbus and had 152 points over 241 games during his tenure. He was later traded to Phoenix (now Arizona) in February 2012 in exchange for Curtis McElhinney and two draft picks.

Upon joining the Coyotes, Antoine posted 10 points over the final 22 regular season games. He added five goals, five assists (10 points) in 16 playoff contests as the Coyotes reached the Conference Final against Los Angeles in 2012.

Vermette spent close to four seasons in the Desert before helping the Blackhawks capture a Stanley Cup in 2015.

If we include his most recent 2015-16 campaign, Antoine had 149 points in 291 games with Arizona.

Antoine Vermette has a career total of 211 goals, 260 assists (546 points) in 910 games spanning over 12 NHL seasons. He also has 13 goals, 12 assists (25 points) in 78 playoff contests.

Thoughts/Analysis

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Today’s signing leaves the Ducks with $9,270,834 dollars in cap space to re-sign restricted free agents Rickard Rakell and Hampus Lindholm.

While enough space to lock down both RFAs, one must wonder if GM Bob Murray is finished dealing. After all, he still needs to make room for top defensive prospect Shea Theodore – a spot that Cam Fowler currently occupies.

Another curious aspect of this signing is that Vermette plays center. He led the Yotes with 1351 total face-off’s taken in 2015-16. Only problem, Ryan Kesler, Ryan Getzlaf, Nate Thompson, and Rickard Rakell made up for nearly 79 percent of total FO’s taken in 2015-16.

This creates a question. Which center will be forced to slide to the wing?

Next: Potential Calder Trophy Class of 2016-17

Here we thought Anaheim was dedicated to make changes this offseason, but it’s beginning to look like a team destined to repeat history. How many years will Bob Murray continue trying to have success plugging natural C’s up the left side? Keep a close eye on the Anaheim Ducks over the next few weeks as they’re not done making headlines.

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