Anaheim Retains Services of Marchant

The Anaheim Ducks announced today they have signed veteran center Todd Marchant, a former Clarkson standout, to a two-year contract through the 2010-11 season.

Per club policy, no financial terms of the deal were disclosed.

"We're pleased that Todd will remain a Duck for the next two seasons," said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. "His versatility on the ice and presence in the locker room is something this club has deeply valued over the past four seasons."

Marchant, 35 (8/12/73), appeared in his fourth season with Anaheim in 2008-09, earning 5-13=18 points in 72 games. He became the 31st U.S.-born player to appear in his 1,000th NHL Game on Dec. 22 at Vancouver. Marchant also appeared in all 14 of Anaheim's Stanley Cup Playoff contests, scoring 1-1=2 points. He scored the triple overtime-winning goal in the Ducks' 2-1 victory in Game 2 of the Conference Semifinals on May 3 at Detroit.

In 261 regular season games with the Ducks, Marchant has collected 28-54=82 points with 172 penalty minutes (PIM). Capturing his first Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007, Marchant also advanced to the Western Conference Finals (2006) and the Conference Semifinals (2009) with the Ducks. In addition, he advanced to the Conference Semifinals with Edmonton in both 1997 and 1998, scoring the game-winning overtime goal in Game 7 of the Conference Quarterfinals on Apr. 19, 1997 at Dallas. Marchant has appeared in 89 career postseason contests, scoring 13-20=33 points with 92 PIM.

A veteran of 16 NHL seasons, Marchant has played in 1,038 career NHL contests with the NY Rangers, Edmonton, Columbus and Anaheim, collecting 176-292=468 points with 716 PIM. He set career highs in goals, assists and points during the 2002-03 season as a member of the Oilers, earning 20-40=60 points with 48 PIM and a +13 rating. A native of Buffalo, New York, Marchant played for Team USA at the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway where he earned 1-1=2 points in eight tournament games.

Marchant was selected by the NY Rangers in the seventh round (164th overall) of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to Edmonton by the Rangers for Craig MacTavish on March 21, 1994. He signed as a free agent with Columbus on July 3, 2003 and was claimed on waivers by Anaheim on Nov. 21, 2005.

Marchant spoke to reporters via conference call Tuesday afternoon from his family's offseason home in Williamsville, New York

On the negotiation process
We had contacted the Ducks prior to July 1 to see if there was interest in re-signing me and they had shown interest in doing so, but the terms were a little bit of an issue for both sides. July 1 came and went and we were entertaining offers from other teams. We had several that were willing to offer two years and that's when we went back to the Ducks and asked for the same thing. I had expressed that Anaheim was my first choice and where I wanted to be. Once we could agree on a two-year contract, it was a simple process and we got the deal done pretty quickly.

My wife and I are please to be a part of the Ducks family again for another two years. Hopefully I can be a part of helping this team to get back to where it wants to be.

We certainly had discussed leaving, my wife and I and my agent. It was pretty close, to be honest. I maintained all along that Anaheim was my first choice. I expressed that to Bob [Murray] in my exit meeting and told a lot of you [media] the same thing. I believe and I think Bob agrees with me, that I can still play this game at the highest level possible. l think I proved that this season and certainly in the playoffs.

I look forward to getting back to Southern California and getting the season underway. I look forward to getting to training camp and getting my spot on the team. I'll be in New York until the middle of August, and then I'll come back to Southern California.

On measuring his worth as a player during contract talks,
Reading a direct quote from Bob Murray, he talked about my versatility on the ice and my presence in the dressing room as something he valued. There are certain people in this game where you have a hard time putting a value on them. They do so many things. It's easy to put a value on someone who scores 30 goals, scores 60 points, plays on your power play and all that. Someone like myself, on paper, blocking shots, killing penalties, being a leader in the dressing room day to day doesn't show up on the scoresheet. Successful teams all have players who fill those voids. I'm thankful that the Anaheim Ducks recognize that.

On the departures of Francois Beauchemin and Chris Pronger,
We didn't have Beauch for the better part of the regular season. He's a tremendous player and was a great teammate. Obviously we wish him nothing but the best in Toronto. He was in a different situation than a lot of us. He's 29 and spent a lot of time in the minors and finally got his shot with the Ducks. This was an opportunity to him to quote-unquote hit a home run. And he was able to do that with Toronto.

With Chris, with the salary cap where it is, the Ducks didn't feel they could carry both Scotty and Chris. Bob was able to make a deal to bring back Lupes [Joffrey Lupul], get a young prospect like Luca Sbisa and get two draft picks. That helps the future of the franchise and who knows what those assets will bring this season.

I've talked do Chris a lot over the last couple of days and he was certainly a good friend and a good teammate. I wish him nothing but the best, but unfortunately it was time to move on.

Both players will be missed, but it gives an opportunity for someone else to step up and show they can play this game. Brett Festerling got an opportunity last year when Beauch got hurt, and he played very well. So did Brendan Mikkelson and Brian Salcido, who signed yesterday, though he only played a couple of games. These guys are going to have the chance to become everyday NHL players.

On whether leadership roles of other Ducks veterans increase with Pronger leaving,
I don't think it necessarily increases our role, but it give someone else an opportunity to step up and become a leader. You can look no further than a guy like Ryan Getzlaf, who was an alternate captain last year and took his game to another level while also becoming a guy that guys look to in the dressing room. This is an opportunity for Corey Perry to take more of a leadership role. Down the road, these are the guys everyone is going to look to for leadership. The only thing I can do as a player and person is to continue to do things that have made me successful. That's working hard every day and showing the kind of work ethic that's kept me in this league for 15 years. That's someone young guys can learn from.

On the status of his foot, for which he had surgery to repair a broken bone last month,
That was a concern for a lot of teams, including the Ducks. I just started physical therapy yesterday. I had an x-ray before I left California and everything looks really good. I have to have a CT scan six weeks post-surgery to make sure everything is going the way it's supposed to, but all indications are showing that everything is going well. I don't foresee any problems and the doctors don't see any problems. I haven't had any setbacks yet and I expect to be ready to go by training camp.

Six weeks post-surgery I'm expected to be back into full training mode. I'm already two weeks into training mode, but not on that leg as much as possible. The rest of my body is able to handle to the workload.

On the involvement of his son, Tim, who served as a reporter for the TV show, "The Element," during the season, Marchant was told by one reporter that there was fan reaction that the real bonus of this deal was that Tim would be back.
[Laughs] Ah, that's funny. You know, part of this whole deal is, my family loves Southern California. I have four children, three in school and they all love it. My wife is very involved in the community as well as the Ducks organization and we felt we wanted to be part of that family.

My son, who gets as much airtime as I do these days, was very excited to find out we're coming back. And who knows, maybe we'll see him do some more reporting next season.

On his thoughts about retirement,
Anything is possible. I got asked that question during the playoffs and I was kind of surprised by it because I hadn't even thought of it. Now having a two-year contract, is it possible it could take me to the end of my career? Anything's possible. It could have ended 10 years ago. I think that when you sign a multi-year deal, my goal and my focus is to be in the best possible shape and play the best I can over those two seasons. After that, we'll see what happens. I could have two great years and I will sign for another two years. I can't say at this time that I'm even thinking about retirement. I'm excited about coming back and playing, and certainly playing for the Anaheim Ducks.