Eaves, 33 (5/1/84), scored 11-3=14 points with a +8 rating and eight penalty minutes (PIM) in 20 games with the Ducks last season after being acquired from Dallas in exchange for a conditional selection in the 2017 NHL Draft (first round) on Feb. 24. Eaves went on to record 2-2=4 points with six PIM in seven Stanley Cup Playoffs as he helped lead Anaheim to the 2017 Western Conference Final.
The 6-0, 200-pound forward combined for 32-19=51 points with 24 PIM in 79 games with the Ducks and Stars last season, setting single-season career highs in goals, assists, points and games. Eaves, who finished tied for sixth in the NHL in PPG (13) in 2016-17, also ranked tied for eighth among NHL leaders and led the Ducks in goals from Feb. 24 through the remainder of the regular season.
Selected by Ottawa in the first round (29th overall) of the 2003 NHL Draft, Eaves has collected 131-110=241 points with a +8 rating and 206 PIM in 624 career NHL games with Ottawa (2005-08), Carolina (2007-09), Detroit (2009-14), Nashville (2013-14), Dallas (2014-17) and Anaheim (2016-17). He has also appeared in 83 career Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Senators, Hurricanes, Red Wings and Stars, earning 11-12=23 points with 45 PIM.
Eaves spoke to reporters via conference call this afternoon:
On the negotiations
We had been chatting for awhile. I spoke to my agent, and told him this is where I wanted to be. My agent knew Anaheim meant something to me. I wanted to be a part of everything they were doing. Today it all came to a head. I'm so excited to be there and be a part of things. That's all I wanted.
On the Ducks
Bob [Murray] has a great blueprint there and he has a veteran group of guys and great young guys. Being in that locker room is something special and I noticed that on day 1. That was a big deal for me.
On his family
I'm excited to get my family out to the area. When I got traded there, my family stayed in Dallas because the kids were still in school. This was a family decision, and it worked out great. I'm really excited.
On whether he was tempted to test the market in free agency
No. Looking back on it, maybe a little part of me. Being in that locker room, for me it was something I wanted to be a part of. The core group there is great. I've played with Kes [Ryan Kesler] since I was in high school, and just the way I was welcomed by everybody, that was pretty special. There was something different there. It starts with Bob and Randy and the leadership core, and I'm really excited to be a part of it. I feel a part of things moving forward.
On his ankle injury
My ankle is healing well, and I have no issues or worries about it being ready for the start of the season.
