No. 1 Pick Signs 3-Year Deal

The Mighty Ducks, with a future that seems a bit brighter this season, on Wednesday signed Joffrey Lupul, their No. 1 pick in the June draft. He signed a three-year, $3.55-million contract that will pay him $1.185 million per season. The contract also includes performance bonuses.

“We had to get it done at some point,” General Manager Bryan Murray said. “He’s a real good prospect with a bright future in the NHL. To get it done now takes the pressure off both parties.”

Duck officials, impressed with his size and offensive abilities, made Lupul, 19, the seventh pick overall. He is 6 feet and 198 pounds and last season had 56 goals and 106 points for Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League.

Lupul sat out the first 2 1/2 weeks because of a back injury.

“My goal was to make the team, but I was injured and didn’t get a chance to go out there,” Lupul said. “When I did get back in the swing of things, it was too late.”

He returned to juniors and has 11 goals and 24 points in 15 games. Lupul missed his last two games with back spasms unrelated to his previous injury, but said he would play in Medicine Hat’s games this weekend.

Lupul’s contract does not take effect until next season. He can sign a tryout contract that would allow him to play less than 10 games after his junior season ends, although Murray said that would be unlikely.

Murray said that there is a possibility that the team will sign Tim Brent, their second-round pick in June. Brent, who is sidelined with a neck injury, has eight goals and 25 points for Toronto-St. Mike’s in the Ontario Hockey League. He has been selected to play for the OHL all-star team.

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The Ducks recalled goalie Ilja Bryzgalov and returned goalie J.F. Damphousse to Cincinnati. Goalie Martin Gerber, who has returned from Switzerland, also went to Cincinnati and will start Friday, then will return to the Ducks.

Babcock said that Bryzgalov is not expected to play.

TONIGHT

at Columbus, 4 PST

Site -- Nationwide Arena.

Radio -- KPLS (830), 7 p.m. (delayed).

Records -- Ducks 6-6-3-1, Columbus 7-6-1-1.

Record vs. Blue Jackets (2001-02) -- 1-3-0-0.

Update -- The Ducks have struggled against the Blue Jackets, winning only two of eight games and none at Nationwide Arena. Duck right wing Mike Leclerc, who had minor elbow surgery Monday, rejoined the team in Columbus and a decision on whether he can play will be made today.