Anaheim Ducks re-sign Ryan Getzlaf to 8-year deal

Getzlaf could have been an unrestricted free agent this summer along with Corey Perry, the former NHL MVP and his longtime linemate. Instead, Getzlaf and Ducks general manager Bob Murray agreed to the longest contract extension allowed under the new collective bargaining agreement.

"It's always been my goal to be here," Getzlaf told reporters after the morning skate for the Ducks' home game against Calgary. "I've always envisioned myself playing for one team, especially this organization. It's been great to me. It's nice to be settled in and knowing that I'm going to be here for a long time."

The 27-year-old Getzlaf has 499 points in 534 games with Anaheim, establishing himself as one of the NHL's top playmakers and the third-leading scorer in Ducks history. He won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and became Anaheim's captain in 2010.

After struggling last year to his lowest-scoring performance in a full NHL season, Getzlaf is in the midst of an outstanding year for the streaking Ducks (16-3-3), who have the NHL's second-best record behind Chicago.

Getzlaf has nine goals and 18 assists with a plus-10 rating in just 22 games this season, tying with Chicago's Patrick Kane for the Western Conference scoring lead. Getzlaf is making $6.125 million this season in the final year of his current contract

Bruce Boudreau has praised Getzlaf as one of the NHL's premier centers since the veteran coach took over the Ducks in late 2011.

"He's just starting to get into the prime of his hockey career," Boudreau said. "I thought it was a great job by Bob and the organization, and (we're) grateful to Ryan to want to stay here."

Perry hasn't yet re-signed with Anaheim, and has seemed more interested than Getzlaf in exploring free agency. The gold medal-winning Canadian Olympians have spent their entire careers with Anaheim, which drafted them together in the first round in 2003.

"I've wanted to be here, and I've wanted Corey to be here," Getzlaf said. "We've had lots of conversations, and me and Perrs will talk along the way here, I'm sure, and hopefully they can get it done."

Murray has been eager to re-sign both Getzlaf and Perry even though Anaheim has won just one playoff round in the five seasons since the franchise's only Stanley Cup title. After several years of slow starts by the Ducks, the cornerstone duo has justified Murray's faith in them this season with strong play, pacing Anaheim to a significant lead in the Pacific Division near the midway point of the lockout-shortened season.