Ducks Sign Chistov to Deal

The Mighty Ducks beat the deadline and signed forward Stanislav Chistov to a three-year contract at about $1.75 million per season on Monday.

“I’m extremely relieved that this got done, this is a dream come true,” Chistov said through a translator. “Now I can continue training with a goal in mind.”

Chistov, 19, was the fifth player taken in the 2001 draft, but became the center of an off-ice struggle. Officials from Avangard Omsk, his Russian hockey team, claimed he was in the army and ordered Chistov home or else he would be considered AWOL.

The Ducks had to sign Chistov by Monday or could not negotiate with him for another year.

Chris Foster

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Again beating a deadline, the Kings signed Russian forward Alexander Frolov to a three-year contract. If the Kings hadn’t signed him before the Monday deadline, Frolov would have been ineligible to play next season.

Identified by the Kings as their No. 1 prospect, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Frolov, 20, was the 20th pick in the 2000 NHL draft. Playing last season in the Russian Super League, he led the Soviet Wings with 30 points, among them 18 goals, in 44 games.

Also, King center Eric Belanger filed for salary arbitration.

Jerry Crowe

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All-Star left wing Patrik Elias signed a three-year contract with the New Jersey Devils. As a restricted free agent, Elias, 26, could have fielded offers from other teams, but the Devils had the right to match any deal.... Toronto Coach/General Manager Pat Quinn was fined $100,000 by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman for his comments on recent free-agent signings around the league. Last week, Quinn bashed teams for shelling out big bucks and predicted a lockout in 2004.... Ottawa signed captain Daniel Alfredsson to a two-year contract.... Konstantin Koltsov, Pittsburgh’s first-round draft choice three years ago, signed with the Penguins.... Chicago signed free-agent defenseman Jason Strudwick.... Washington hired Randy Carlyle and Glen Hanlon to be assistants under new head Coach Bruce Cassidy.... The Pittsburgh Penguins signed forward Vladimir Vujtek.