McInnis Gets His Wish With Contract Extension

Right wing Marty McInnis said several weeks ago that he wanted to stick with the Ducks. He didn’t want to be traded. He didn’t want to have to sign with another team in the off-season.

McInnis’ wishes were granted Thursday, when he and the Ducks agreed on a three-year contract extension. Financial terms were not disclosed.

McInnis, 30, would have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Instead, he’ll be a Duck through the 2003-04 season.

The agreement leaves Pierre Gauthier, team president and general manager, with only two other potential unrestricted free agents to re-sign, center Tony Hrkac and defenseman Jason Marshall.

“Marty has been a very good player for us,” Gauthier said of McInnis, who has 19 goals and 40 points in 61 games.

“If we lose Marty, obviously, there’s a hole you have to replace [on right wing]. There’s a crossroads you get to with unrestricted free agents. You hope you don’t get there at a late date.”

Gauthier began talks with McInnis’ agent on a new deal about two weeks ago, hoping they could come to an agreement well before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Gauthier didn’t want to trade McInnis, but said, “There was considerable interest in the marketplace.”

But by agreeing to an extension, McInnis’ future in Anaheim is secure for three seasons.

“I’m excited about it,” said McInnis, acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 27, 1998. “It’s a relief. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about it. We’ve got a good nucleus here. It’s a great place to play. Obviously, you want to play for a winning team. We have great fans. As long as we win, the fans will come back.”

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Goaltender Steve Shields, acquired in Monday’s deal that sent Teemu Selanne to the San Jose Sharks, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder early next week. There had been some internal debate about whether to do the operation now or let Shields play with ligament damage and do the procedure after the season.

TONIGHT

vs. Chicago, 7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 20-35-8-5, Blackhawks 28-30-6-3.

* Record vs. Blackhawks--0-2.

* Update--Paul Kariya has 11 goals and 21 points in his last 13 games for the Ducks. He has four goals and five points in his last two games. Defenseman Ruslan Salei, sidelined almost two months by post-concussion syndrome, has resumed skating and is expected to take part in his first full-contact practice Saturday. He could be fit to play next week. The Blackhawks are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.

* Tickets--(714) 703-2545.