ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Anaheim Ducks signed holdout Hampus Lindholm to a six-year, $31.5 million contract through the 2021-22 season on Thursday, ending a stalemate with their talented Swedish defenseman.The 22-year-old Lindholm scored 92 points in 236 games over the past three seasons, developing into one of the NHLs top young blueliners with a fluid two-way game. The Swede missed training camp and the first eight regular-season games this fall while holding out.Im really happy to be back in Anaheim, Lindholm said in a phone interview from Sweden. Thats where Ive been all my career. This is the only time when we had time to sign me, and we could still keep some players. It was kind of perfect that way to keep the team that we had last year.General manager Bob Murray echoed Lindholms excitement about the deal, which allows the Ducks to preserve the four-time Pacific Division champions core. A dominant regular-season team, Anaheim has won only three playoff rounds in the past four seasons, never advancing past the Western Conference finals.Hes part of the future of this franchise, and we did everything we could to get him signed at a fair price, Murray said. I wanted to give this group another shot, and Im going to do everything in my power to keep it that way.The Ducks payroll is stretched to the limit, but owners Henry and Susan Samueli agreed with Murray about Lindholms importance, stretching the Ducks payroll to accommodate another large contract.They had my back the whole time, Murray said of the Ducks owners.Lindholm agreed to slightly less than the six-year, $32.4 million deal signed by Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen earlier this month. Winnipegs Jacob Trouba is the NHLs only remaining restricted free agent without a deal, and he has asked for a trade.I was hoping to get this done in the summer, of course, but thats just how it is, Lindholm said. I cant do too much about that.Lindholm has been working out daily at home with a Swedish Elite League team, along with extra work at home. He expects to be ready to step into Anaheims lineup after he gets his visa, although that process could take up to two weeks.Forward Rickard Rakell, Lindholms teammate and fellow Swede, ended his own holdout by agreeing to a six-year, $22.8 million deal with Anaheim on Oct. 14, but he didnt practice with the Ducks until Wednesday.Ive been practicing hard, Lindholm said. Its going to be exciting to come back and play some real hockey again.The Ducks squeezed Lindholms deal under the salary cap by putting defenseman Simon Despres and center Nate Thompson on long-term injured reserve. Anaheim likely will have to make another move when either player returns from injury, but that might not happen for months.It was good this way, because now I can play and they didnt have to move anyone, Lindholm said. We still have the same team, which is really good because I think we have a real strong back end. We have the guys left from the core group, so its going to be an exciting year.Lindholm repeatedly mentioned the importance of getting a deal that would allow the Ducks to keep their core together. The Ducks were widely expected to afford Lindholm by trading another defenseman -- most likely Cam Fowler, the U.S. Olympian and a regular on Anaheims defense for six years.Fowler is the Ducks second-leading scorer this season with three goals and four assists in eight games. He is also leading the Ducks in ice time, averaging nearly 24 1/2 minutes per game.Lindholms average annual salary will be $5.25 million. He makes $3 million this year, $6 million in 2017-18, $6.75 million in 2018-19, $5.25 million in 2019-20, $3.75 million in 2020-21 and $6.75 million in 2021-22. Old Skool Australia Cheap .Y. -- Marcell Dareus and the Buffalo Bills defence made life miserable for Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. Vans Old Skool Australia Sale . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday. http://www.cheapoldskoolaustralia.com/ . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. Wholesale Vans Shoes . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. Vans Old Skool Australia . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU.Aston Villa manager Remi Garde refused to be drawn on a supporter walk-out during Tuesdays defeat to Everton. The Premier Leagues bottom club slipped even closer to relegation as the Toffees eased to a 3-1 victory in front of a crowd of less than 30,000 at Villa Park.The number of those in attendance decreased significantly in the 74th minute when large sections of home supporters left the ground in direct protest to the Aston Villa hierarchy. Remi Garde calls for unity after fan protest during Everton defeat However, speaking after the game, Garde urged everyone connected with the club to stay united as he continues to plot a path to avoid relegation to the Sky Bet Championship.Its always better when everyone - the fans, the club, players and manager - stick together, Garde told Sky Sports.When you are bottom of the league it is because there are problems and the more problems you have the more problems come as well. Everton boss Roberto Martinez was pleased with his sides start to the game after they beat Aston Villa 3-1. I dont want to make comments about that [protest], Ive got enough work to do with the players in trying to give them the best solution to win the next game.I still believe that mathematically we can still do it [avoid relegation}. I am frustrated at the results tonight with rivals getting a point or having lost games.It is not over, of course it is more difficult but when I see my team in the second half I still believe that we can win enough games and points. Aston Villas Micah Richards says they have not been good enough this season after they lost 3-1 to Everton.dddddddddddd It is going to be very difficult but I have said ever since I joined this football club that I will try to make my players believe they can do it.Tuesdays defeat leaves Villa eight points adrift from safety with just ten games remaining to save their top-flight status.Ramiro Funes Moris fifth-minute strike set the Toffees on their way to victory before strikes from Aaron Lennon and Romelu Lukaku put the game beyond Gardes men. Angry Aston Villa supporters leave the stand in the middle of second half against Everton And the Frenchman was left to rue his team selection which failed to keep Everton at bay, adding: We are very disappointed.Again, we have conceded three goals, two early ones, after that it was difficult to come back into the game.We tried, in the second half it was better we had some chances but not enough to threaten Everton. Clearly tonight we had a lack of confidence. Everton cruise at Villa Aston Villas dismal run of form continued as Everton cruised to a 3-1 victory at Villa Park. Some spells of the game were good, we created chances, we used width of the pitch as we wanted with many crosses and we scored one goal. But tonight Everton were probably better than us.I tried to change the shape of the team to stabilise and give more confidence at the back playing three but unfortunately we conceded goals.One from a set piece, thats too many from set pieces in the last three of four games we have conceded at least one from set pieces.Even with three at the back it was not enough tonight to prevent the Everton goals. Also See: Everton cruise to Villa win Villa video Villa fixtures Villa stats ' ' '