Ducks sign Winnik to two-year deal

The Anaheim Ducks announced Friday that they have signed center Daniel Winnik to a two-year contract through the 2013-14 NHL season. Per club policy, no financial terms of the deal were disclosed, but Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register is reporting it is worth $3.6 million.

Winnik, 27, has appeared in 366 career NHL games with the Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks, tallying 37 goals and 64 assists with 187 penalty minutes.

"I was hoping to stay out West, just with the familiarity of playing all the teams. More so, the Pacific Division, having been there for three years and ending it with San Jose (last season)," Winnik said on a conference call. "I have always loved the West Coast and have been out there for so long now. ...

"There is really no adjusting time to people you are playing in your division. If I was to switch over to an Eastern Conference team, I’d have to get used to the playing style and the team systems."

Winnik appeared in a League-leading 84 games with Colorado and San Jose last season, scoring eight goals and 15 assists. Winnik's 84 games played were the most in the NHL since Sean Avery played 84 in 2006-07 with the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers.

Winnik was acquired by San Jose as part a five-player trade on Feb. 27, 2012 and went on to record three goals and two assists in 21 regular-season games with the Sharks. The 6-2, 210-pound center made his second career appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2012 with San Jose, earning an assist in five games.

Selected by Phoenix in the ninth round (No. 265) of the 2004 NHL Draft, Winnik has played 12 career Stanley Cup Playoff games with Phoenix (2010) and San Jose, earning one assist.