Ducks Sign Forward Christensen to One-Year Contract

The Anaheim Ducks signed center Eric Christensen to a one-year contract extension on Wednesday, just hours before he would have become an unrestricted free agent. Terms of the deal were no disclosed. The Ducks did not qualify Christensen’s rights last week, which made him an unrestricted free agent, but still expressed interest in retaining him. The Ducks acquired Christensen last season at the trade deadline from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for prospect forward Eric O’Dell. In 64 games last season with the Thrashers and Ducks, he scored seven goals and 21 assists for 28 points. This is a decent signing for the Ducks, as Christensen has plenty of offensive skill. His numbers improved after the trade to the Ducks and found himself playing on the second line. Christensen will likely play on that line in 2009-10, and could see his production improve playing alongside the likes of Teemu Selanne and Joffrey Lupul.