Kesler to remain with Anaheim

Center Ryan Kesler got comfortable quickly with the Anaheim Ducks, and the club let him know the feeling is definitely mutual.

The veteran center agreed to a six-year, $41.25 million contract extension Wednesday with the Ducks, cementing a long-term commitment after just one season together.

“I definitely feel a part of the core group now,” Kesler said. “They wanted me, and I wanted to stay.”

Kesler had 20 goals, 27 assists and 75 penalty minutes last year in Anaheim after spending his first nine seasons with Vancouver.

The hard-nosed U.S. Olympian filled a key role as the Ducks’ second-line center while matching up defensively against many teams’ top scorers.

Kesler also had seven goals and six assists in a standout playoff effort as the three-time Pacific Division champion Ducks fell one game short of the Stanley Cup final, losing to Chicago in the Conference final.

Stars

Dallas signed free agent defenseman Johnny Oduya to a two-year, $7.5 million contract. The move is the second time in less than a week that Dallas has added a player from Chicago’s Stanley Cup-winning team. The Stars traded for forward Patrick Sharp on Friday.

Coyotes

Arizona signed defenseman Philip Samuelsson and forward Brendan Shinnimin to one-year, two-way contracts, avoiding salary arbitration. The 23-year-old Samuelsson, the son of former NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson, was acquired from the Penguins in December for Rob Klinkhammer and a conditional draft pick.