In an announcement from himself and his young daughter, Frank Vatrano is committing to Orange County for another three seasons. In a quick follow-up from TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, Vatrano’s three-year pact will pay him $18MM in total but carries an uncommon method of deferred salary.
LeBrun shares that Vatrano will earn a base salary of $3MM each year of the deal with $9MM deferred. From 2035, Vatrano will earn $900K annually from the Ducks until 2044. LeBrun asserts that Vatrano plans to live outside of California in retirement giving him the flexibility to earn his annual disbursement in a tax-free state. Additionally, the creativity of the deferred salary brings Vatrano’s cap hit down to $4.67MM (instead of $6MM) which provides cost-savings to Anaheim.
Being primarily used in Major League Baseball, this is the most creative use of deferred salary in recent memory in the National Hockey League and may be a sign of things to come. There are increasing concerns that teams within states without an income tax have a competitive advantage over other teams, particularly in comparison to the Canadian market in recent years. The use of deferred salary by Anaheim may be a way to show players, particularly unrestricted free agents, that there are creative ways to dodge financial impediments.
For Vatrano’s part, it’s a healthy raise on his modest $3.65MM salary for the last three years. After a disappointing year with the New York Rangers, the Ducks signed Vatrano to a three-year, $10.95MM contract as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2022.
Subsequently, he’s enjoyed the two most productive seasons of his career. Vatrano scored 22 goals and 41 points in 81 games for Anaheim during the 2022-23 season finishing tied for third on the team in goal-scoring. Vatrano followed up that performance with the best season of his career scoring 37 goals and 60 points in 82 games last year shattering his previous record of 24 goals in 2018-19 with the Florida Panthers. 
Vatrano’s goal-scoring output has dissipated slightly this year with nine goals and 20 points in 37 games but he’s still proving to be a physical, offensive threat in the Ducks’ top-six. Unsurprisingly, the defensive side of Vatrano’s game is improving under head coach Greg Cronin’s hard-nosed system, with the veteran sniper managing the best 5-on-5 on-ice save percentage since his time with the Panthers.
The extension reflects Vatrano’s earnest commitment to a rebuilding organization. It also removes an important trade candidate from consideration as the deadline approaches. Vatrano’s style of play would be an asset to almost any contending team’s middle-six, but they will now have to seek such an advantage elsewhere.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Sweet! Was worried we’d loose him at the deadline.
Didn’t see this coming. I’m surprised Frank Vatrano wants to stay on a rebuilding team but hey, it’s his choice.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Vatrano is moved at the deadline.
You continuously have bone headed takes. Your spite for the Ducks is non stop. Maybe troll a different page.
He does troll a different page. When not babbling about the Ducks, Wilf goes hunting for any post referencing the Wild and does the same thing. His latest bouts of deep thinking inspired him to tell us that the Wild are collapsing and that Filip Gustavsson will be put on waivers at some point this season. Enjoy the ride – the entertainment value is solid.
Like it when players work with the team to benefit cap space; in 2 years Ducks will be back in playoff picture…
Doubt it. They may put a cap on it, like 25% or 50%, but good luck getting that concession from the PA without a massive labor dispute.
Sorry. I meant to respond to the post below.
NHL will put an end to the diferalls before McDavid can sign his extension. Otherwise Oilers offer him diferalls for 30 years after his career.
Doubt it. They’ll put a cap on it at like 25% or 50% but no way in hell they get that confession from the PA without a major labor stoppage. Just watch. This will be the summer of deferrals.
Good deal. Always better to re-sign veterans on rebuilding teams than signing new ones in free agency. Looking at you, Stevie Y.
I’ve wanted him in Detroit for awhile now.
This tax deferral thing is absolutely repugnant. In essence, you are taking money from people in California to watch you play, and you don’t think your wages should be taxed and put back into the State? Seriously? How greedy do you have to be? I know some people are gonna sit here like, “Hurr hurr, gubmint takin mah money,” but without tax revenues, you don’t get roads and bridges and schools and hospitals (well, at least in Canada). The rich shouldn’t be exempt from this, they should be paying more than the average worker.
“But it’s legal!” Cool. Lots of legal things are still morally repulsive. When you cheat the tax system like this, you are cheating your fellow people. And that sucks.
I live in California. I’m fine with it. Maybe grow up a bit yeah?
Please explain how this is cheating the tax system. Income tax can only be paid on income received at that time so, no, this is not cheating. Oh, and roads and bridges are not funded via income tax anyway. You need to pay closer attention to the money laundering system that is government before you tell everyone else how to earn their money. But if you would like to send additional money to your favorite government entity, you are free to do so.
Speaking of greedy! How about California?
Good to see doghockey trying hard to get that PHR internship, I love his energy, Don’t give up kiddo, You’ll get out of your parents basement one of these days.
I’m just gonna follow this thread for Wilf’s embarrassing takes. Since he has me blocked for some reason I won’t get his replies. He always amuses me with the low brow takes he posts.
He blocks everyone who does not agree with his yapping. He’s never been capable of carrying on an adult dialogue.