Anaheim Ducks: 5 Offseason Moves to Consider
Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray Vows to Shake-Up Core; 5 Offseason Moves to Consider
Following the Anaheim Ducks heartbreaking game seven loss on Wednesday night, many in the hockey world knew it was only a matter of time before the dominoes fell.
On Friday, Bruce Boudreau was relieved of his head coach duties, but received praise from his former boss who pointed the brunt of the blame at the players, and rightfully so. Unfortunately, in the hockey world, the coach is usually the first to go when things head south.
Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray made some interesting comments during his recent interview. Addressing Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, Murray said he has perhaps been too easy on the team’s stars, and needs to be tougher on them moving forward.
He also made it clear that changes will occur, and it sounds like a core shake-up is on the horizon.
Here are five ways to shake-up the Anaheim Ducks on-the-go:
1. Change of Leadership at the Top
The most obvious answer is to trade Ryan Getzlaf or Corey Perry. It doesn’t sound like Bob Murray is interested in venturing down this road just yet; even if he were, there aren’t a handful of teams looking to add that much salary for a veteran starting the back nine.
2. Trade Frederik Andersen
It’s been publicized that Bob Murray loves his young netminder John Gibson. Sure, he stumbled in the playoffs, but he’s still young (look at Jake Allen in St.Louis). Gibson is the future in goal, and he needs that room to breathe as a starter without a quality netminder challenging him for so much time in the crease.
Andersen isn’t your prototypical starting goaltender. He is better classified as a 1A type of goalie. If you stick him in a tandem situation, Frederik has the ability to carry majority of the load.
Teams that may have interest:
Arizona Coyotes (Smith/Andersen), Buffalo Sabres (Lehner, Andersen), Calgary Flames (Ortio, Andersen), Carolina Hurricanes (Lack/Andersen), Edmonton Oilers (Talbot/Andersen), Toronto Maple Leafs (Bernier/Andersen)
More puck prose: NHL Mock Draft 4.0: Rounds 1-7
3. Trade Sami Vatanen
It was reported late in the regular season that Vatanen (restricted free agent) was seeking around $6 million dollars/year in opening negotiations.
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Obviously, Anaheim Ducks start somewhere closer to $3.5/$4, and both parties usually meet somewhere in the middle.
Now, not that Sami Vatanen isn’t worth whatever contract he eventually signs. That’s just a lot of money to give to a defenseman when top prospect Shea Theodore is ready to step in to full-time duties next year, and offers a very similar style game on an entry-level contract.
Anaheim Ducks already get plenty of offense from Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm who log more minutes. That unfortunately makes Sami Vatanen expendable.
4. Acquire Two Top-Six Left-Handed Left Wingers
Whether it be via trade or free agency, it’s time to address a hole that has plagued this team for several years now.
You could argue the last time they had a pure top-six LW was Chris Kunitz back in 2008-09. Since then, it’s been a center forced to slide over, or winger playing their off-wing.
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However you want to shake it, there’s no reason that Matt Beleskey and Andrew Cogliano should be the best pure left-wingers of the past few years. Sure Jamie McGinn was an upgrade, but there’s a reason he’s unlikely to receive a new contract before July 1st.
If the Anaheim Ducks are lucky, Nick Ritchie may develop into a top-six LW, although he may also be a third line checking type, it’s still too early to tell.
The Ducks could target UFA Mikkel Boedker. Bob Murray might also have to scour the trade market. Players that might be available in trade talks:
Jeff Skinner (Carolina), Gabriel Landeskog (Colorado), Taylor Hall (Edmonton), Josh Bailey (NY Islanders), Rick Nash/Chris Kreider (NY Rangers), Mike Hoffman (Ottawa), Jonathan Drouin (Tampa Bay), James van Riemsdyk (Toronto)
5. Blockbuster Deal
We don’t see them very often in the NHL, but this summer has the makings of rather significant moves. Can Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray pull off a blockbuster deal that immediately changes the culture in the dressing room?
Below are scenarios/targets of a blockbuster nature:
Sedin Twins, Vancouver – This type of deal consists of moving two monster contracts in a salary cap world where trading has become increasingly difficult. It would be messy, but it’s possible.
Edmonton – Both GMs/teams are in similar positions, and seem to have a wealth of what the other could use. Perhaps a Frederik Andersen/Sami Vatanen package would be tempting to Peter Chiarelli?
Next: Bruce Boudreau A Perfect Fit for Ottawa Senators
Colorado – Another team in need of a shake-up, the Avs should be fielding offers on anyone not named Nathan MacKinnon. They also have RFA D Tyson Barrie still without a contract, and rumors that Matt Duchene might be available.
Tampa Bay – We still don’t know if Steven Stamkos will re-sign. Regardless, the Lightning have cap concerns in coming years as their young stars seek new contracts. Much like the Blackhawks did with Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien, Tampa may find themselves forced to shed salary. Why not call up Steve Yzerman to put a feeler on Nikita Kucherov or Ondrej Palat?