The Anaheim Ducks locked up Rickard Rakell on Friday, signing the restricted free agent forward to a six-year contract extension, as first reported by TSN's Bob McKenzie.
The club didn't disclose financial details of the deal, but it's worth $22.8 million, according to McKenzie.
Rakell scored 20 goals and 43 points in 72 games last year, establishing career highs across the board. He also led Anaheim in even-strength points rate, contributing 1.90 points per 60 minutes.
With the six-year investment, the Ducks get another accurately valued and very reasonable number on their payroll. Rakell will earn just a shade more than Jakob Silfverberg, another young top-six forward locked up long term who contributed just slightly less offensively.
But the deal almost certainly means another shoe will drop. Anaheim, which works on a budget, still has No. 1 defender Hampus Lindholm as an outstanding restricted free agent, and is currently listed just under the $74-million salary cap, according to General Fanager. Cam Fowler, another member of that talented blue line, is among names linked to a potential deal involving a big-money contract.
Rakell, meanwhile, is still in Sweden and is not expected to be in the lineup for another two weeks as he sorts out visa issues.