The Ducks are just one of many teams who have a lot of holes to fill, and I know as fans, we're all ready to begin embracing a new/fresh/motivated/skilled/determined/passionate team.
With that being said, there are many roster spots available and, as has been the case for the past 2 off-seasons, questions loom on what will happen with some of the big name veterans. Lets take a look at who's staying, who's "available" and then start talking about the Nieder-lanne-ronger drama (note the ronger is new to this summers scenario).
Let's start with who's staying, and we'll use the same "line-up" that we saw during the final weeks of the the Ducks season.
Bobby Ryan - Ryan Getzlaf - Corey Perry:
The nice thing about this trio is that they're all still very young, and all getting better. I know we haven't seen tip top Ryan Getzlaf yet, as his numbers are getting better with each new season, and with a better Getzy comes a better Corey Perry. Perry's numbers were near what they were last season, however, this year he didn't suffer a 6 week set back. I think a major reason for a mediocre season from Perry is due to the surge of Bobby Ryan. We all know that kid is only going to get better with time, but if his rookie season in the NHL is any indication, this top line is going to be HOT next season. Very likely, one of the top lines in the league. That's...AWESOME!
Ryan Carter - Andrew Ebbett - Teemu Selanne
I left this line together for two reasons...1.) they're all under contract for next season, and 2.) with more time together, they could be a great, speedy second line. We did see sparks of greatness from this trio during the playoffs, particularly against San Jose when it seemed that Ryan Carter and Teemu Selanne were connecting with one another. However, this line definitely needs to find another speedy winger (I personally like keeping Carter at center for this line and allowing Ebbett to maybe be the energy elsewhere). I think this line might be too small. Carter has more size than Ebbett, and he has the speed, but the Ducks are going to find it necessary to gain consistent second line scoring next season, as the likelihood that EVERY team will be throwing their top defense at the Ryan-Getzlaf-Perry line will very likely stump them from time to time. Therefore, it will be crucial to see this line click. However, at a $3.125 million hit against the cap next season...this could be a successfully cheap 2nd line.
Now it gets tricky...
There are only
*Personally, I love Mike Brown. He quickly became a favorite when he joined the team earlier this year and showed the same fire that Ducks fans were used to getting from Chris Kunitz. He's young at 23 years of age, and will definitely continue to be key for the Ducks on the PK. Nice work Brownie...welcome back!
So where does that leave the 3rd and 4th lines? Here's a list of the remaining forwards from the 08/09 season who are free agents of some sort and their hit on the cap last season...
Todd Marchant $2.66
Rob Niedermayer $2.0
Erik Christensen (RFA) $.750
Troy Bodie (RFA)$.500
From this list I hope to see Todd Marchant come back. He had a breakout second half of the season when Samuel Pahlsson was ill and ultimately traded away. The combination of fire from both he and the newly re-signed Mike Brown make for one hell of a PK...and with the Ducks reputation of taking too many penalties likely to haunt them for quite a while, they'll need all the PK stopping power they can get.
On the defensive end, the Ducks still have under contract:
Chris Pronger, Ryan Whitney, Brendan Mikkelson and Sheldon Brookbank.
With that in mind, there are a few GREAT defensive players who are missing from the list. Scott Niedermayer, Francois Beauchemin and James Wisniewski are all available (Wisniewski is a RFA) as is Bret Hedican who's pretty much said he's planning on retiring (good call buddy).
So...who stays who goes? That's what we're all dying to know and we're all hoping to find out over the next few weeks.
A lot of the Ducks' future is once again riding on Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne's decisions for next season. While, yes, Selanne is under contract already for next season ($2.00), Bob Murray is waiting his decision on whether or not he will be playing another year. The cause and effect this season is huge. With so much talk on the defensive end, re-signing Scott Niedermayer may be a priority. Meanwhile, that could mean that Chris Pronger gets traded.
When it comes down to it, I'd really like to see the effort put forth in signing Todd Marchant,
Players I'd be comfortable seeing slip away? Rob Niedermayer. The Niedermayer brothers have already stated that playing together in the future is no longer necessary, but yet it might still come into play when it comes to signing the two of them. With much talk of them going to play closer to their hometown of Vancouver, also the site of the 2010 Olympics (which I think Scott Niedermayer is HIGHLY interested in participating in), I wouldn't be surprised to see either or both of them end up there. However, I'd also like to believe that they both love it here in Southern California (who doesn't) and might take that into consideration when re-signing.
I can't imagine the Ducks are too interested in re-signing Erik Christensen. I'm not sure he was comfortable enough here to make an impact and I'm beginning to wonder if he's mentally able right now.
On the defensive end, I would love it if there was space to keep Francois Beauchemin on board. I know there is talk of his interest in testing the market and I think that's only fair. I consider him the poor mans Scotty, and for good reason...he's VERY good and he showed that when he came back from what was essentially season ending surgery to give the Ducks a great push through the 2009 playoffs. In addition, James Wisniewski is a must in my book. My understanding is that Bob Murray feels the same and will be willing to give him what he deserves to stay and play for Anaheim. He's a fighter out there on the ice, and we all saw that during the Detroit matchup.
Overall, the trade deadline was a very positive thing for the Ducks as they were able to acquire some great talent and allow others to test the Anaheim waters and hopefully re-sign.
There is a lot to be done with this franchise in the off-season and I'm ready to see it happen NOW.
Very soon, HOPEFULLY, we should be hearing about all of the Nieder-lanne-ronger plans and that will help settle things down for the draft.
Stay tuned Ducks fans...it's going to be a thrilling off-season!
GO DUCKS!!!
3 comments:
props on the funny name combo (made me LOL).
I agree with everything your saying right now.
But I have to ask, What is your opinion on the goaltending situation?
special post...just for you! :)
thanks babe.
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