Ducks Sign D Andy Sutton To 2-Year Contract

(AP) - The Anaheim Ducks have signed veteran defenseman Andy Sutton to a two-year contract, filling a major need on their depleted blue line.

Sutton got $4.25 million in the deal announced Monday.

The 35-year-old Sutton played in 72 games and scored 13 points last season with the New York Islanders and Ottawa, which acquired him at the trade deadline.

The 11-year veteran also finished second in the NHL with 204 blocked shots while ranking among the league leaders in hits.

The Ducks desperately needed at least one durable defenseman after losing captain Scott Niedermayer to retirement and trading James Wisniewski to the Islanders during the offseason. Anaheim also signed defenseman Toni Lydman at the start of free agency.

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