Great deal. The fact that he's still a RFA after this contract expires is just icing on the cake. Well done, Bob!
Isn't Manson still waiver-exempt this season? If so, this makes the 2016 offseason even more interesting, because this signing signifies that he's pretty close to making the Ducks. As AngelDuck pointed out, somebody has to move when/if Manson makes the jump. Vatanen/Despres/Stoner are probably the likely candidates.
Ohh RFA?.. awesome.
The more I think about it, the more mad I get that both Bieksa and Stoner (I don't mind them either as players, but they are each signed a year too long) are locked up for the next 3 seasons....
I think after this next year, our best defensemen will be the following.... in my personal order:
Lindholm
Fowler
Despres
Vatanen
Theodore
Manson
Bieksa
Stoner
Yes, Vatanen is behind Despres.... I love Vatanen about as much as anyone, but Despres has the better outlook currently/in the future as a top 4 Defensemen IMO. I LOVE his game (I think he' underrated and brings things to the table that none of our other young D do (size/physicality/etc.) and honestly, I want to see him take Beachemin's spot on the PP this year, his offensive abilities are underrated as well). Also, Lindholm is a little ahead of Fowler (if he were paired with Despres, he would look even better). Theodore will be higher eventually, but I am just basing this off of next year.
My point is, we will have 2 guys under contract for another 2 years (at big cap hits), that could potentially be our 7-8 best defensemen (and I left Montour off this list because I think has the highest chance of being trade bait - I don't really see him in our future, unless he's still around in 3 years and Bieksa and Stoner's contracts are both up and Vatanen gets traded. But it would be a shame to keep him down that long).
To me though, its looking more and more like Vatanen isn't in our long-term plans :/ (which saddens me because I think he's the best 3rd pairing defenseman in the NHL). But really, it may be wise, he DOES deserve top 4 money, but Idk if its the best use of our cap space over the long haul to pay a player in our 3rd pairing that kind of cash, and we could definitely get an amazing player in return. In a Vacuum, he can play in the top 4 (and on a lot of teams actually), but at the moment, I can't really see him (and don't think BM does either) with Fowler or Lindholm (unless Lindholm turns into a serious physical presence - which is possible I suppose).