So, this was the report from the Ducks on Monday, Jun. 24:
Blog: Ducks appear to be moving on without Ben Lovejoy and David Steckel. ($) http://t.co/aSp7MHBupq
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) June 24, 2013
(I read the article but I'm too afraid to get sued to post quotes.)
In the article, Bob Murray described the negotiations between the Ducks and Lovejoy's reps were really far apart – like Grand Canyon far apart.
Imagine my surprise when I saw this tweet from Eric Stephens:
Ducks sign Ben Lovejoy to a 3-year deal
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) June 27, 2013
WAIT. WHAT?! Then the numbers came out.
Lovejoy deal is three years, $3.3 million. 1M, 1.1M, 1.2M. 1.1M cap hit.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) June 27, 2013
And of course, a bit later from the Ducks:
The #NHLDucks have signed @RevLovejoy6 to a three-year contract extension. http://t.co/vS2DxiKQP6
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) June 27, 2013
What a difference a couple days makes? I know there are a lot of happy Ducks fans out there; consider me one of them. I think he has been given the perfect amount of money and length of contract for his contribution the prior season.
Now I know what most of us are thinking – buyouts. As of Saturday/Sunday…
Ducks GM Bob Murray said the club doesn’t intend to use one of its two compliance buyouts.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) June 22, 2013
To clarify earlier tweet about buyouts, Ducks GM Bob Murray simply said “No” when I asked if that was a consideration.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) June 23, 2013
Just give it a couple more days and we'll find out the truth. (Takes off tinfoil hat).