ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - One day after unloading a pair of veterans, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim retained a familiar face.
The Mighty Ducks re-signed center Samuel Pahlsson to a two-year contract Wednesday, less than 24 hours after trading captain Steve Rucchin and left wing Mike Leclerc.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
A seventh-round pick of Colorado in 1996, Pahlsson made his NHL debut with Boston in 2000-01, recording a goal and an assist in 17 games after being acquired in the March 2000 deal involving Hall of Famer Ray Bourque. The 27-year-old was traded later that season to Anaheim, where he registered three tallies and four assists in 59 contests.
After appearing in 80 games with the Mighty Ducks in 2001-02, Pahlsson split the following regular season between Anaheim and Cincinnati of the American Hockey League but played in 21 postseason contests en route to the team's surprising run to the Stanley Cup Finals.
"We are extremely pleased to have Sammy back," Anaheim general manager Brian Burke said. "He is a responsible player at both ends of the rink and reliable in the faceoff circle."
In 2003-04, Pahlsson collected eight goals and 14 assists in 82 games with the Ducks. He spent last season in his native Sweden with Frolunda, recording six tallies and 24 points in 48 regular-season contests before adding four goals and seven assists in 14 playoff games en route to the Swedish Elite League championship.
The Ducks also inked 2004 first-round pick Ladislav Smid to a three-year deal on Wednesday.
Drafted ninth overall, Smid has spent the last three seasons with HC Liberec in his native Czech Republic. The 19-year-old defenseman had one goal, three assists and 14 penalty minutes in 39 games last season.
"Ladislav Smid is a top young defenseman with both the size and skill to be an impact NHL player in the future," Burke said.
Smid helped the Czech Republic to the bronze medal at the World Junior Championship earlier this year, registering two assists in seven games.