Free Agent Frenzy
by Kevin Riach on Dec 31, 2011 12:07 PM PST
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PrintWhile I wait for the next Ducks loss, during such a soul sucking season, I can't help but wonder what will happen next season. And while I would usually wait until some time in May to post something like this, I am bored and curious to see how people feel now versus how they will feel come the offseason. So simply put I pose this question to all of the Anaheim Calling readers:
1) Who would you like to see the Ducks RESIGN from the current roster?
2) Who would you like to see the Ducks target in Free Agency?
3) (Optional) What would your ideal lines look like next season?
Here is a (somewhat dated) link for who will be available:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?page=NHLFreeAgents-11-12
You can add draft picks if you want as well. This is just a fun way to distract everyone from this season and start looking towards the greener pastures of next season.
This article is user-generated. It does not necessarily reflect the views of Anaheim Calling. Please do not link this article as representative of Anaheim Calling content or viewpoints . . . unless it's really really good.
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As for me:
1) Macenauer, Beauchemin, Hagman, Parros, Bonino, Pelly
2) Shea Weber (backups: Ryan Suter, Matt Carle, Tim Gleason, or Barret Jackman)
Paul Gaustad (backups: Jarret Stoll)
3) DSP-Getzlaf-Perry
Cogs-Holland-Ryan
Hagman-Gaustad-Pelly
Beleskey-Macenauer-Parros
Weber-Beauchemin
Lubo-Lydman
Sbisa-Fowler
I’ll agree with 1 except add Koivu for a 3rd line center.
2) I’d add Joe Corvo as well as Boychuk, I think the majority of our money should be spent on D. That being said ESPN rumors also had an article on there being significant interest in Lubo. He could net a nice return, though I like the idea of only paying him 3 mill to play for us but he hasn’t really been all that great for us this season.
3) DSP-Getzlaf-Perry
Etem-Holland-Ryan
Cogs-Koivu-Gordon
Hagman-Gaustad-Parros
For D it depnds on who stays and who goes
Suter-Beauchemin
Boychuk/Corvo-Lydman
Sbisa-Fowler
I think its a huge reach
To assume we can/will acquire 2-3 Defensemen over the offseason. Also I really don’t think that forwards group is good enough to get you into the post season.
Which means we have to move a lot of our current forward group via FA signings and trades. I think it will be necessary to get at leat 2 Defensement in FA. If we get Suter and don’t move Lubo it could work but I think Lubo is one of our only valuable, and movable, assets. We’ll have a clearer picture of what we need once the offseason comes. I think it is possible to make this team better next year. Look at what Florida has done this season.
Yeah, but Florida bought a complete roster. Don’t underestimate Schultz. It’s not like when a kid comes out of Junior. Schultz has been playing with much more physically mature players. He’ll be 21 when he shows up here, which means he’ll be more mentally mature as well. He can probably be an impact player next year.
I think you’re over estimating the mental toughness of 21 year old. Traditionally Defensemen take longer to develope. Will he be better off then Fowler, probably, but there is still going to be growth and expecting him to jump right in is folly. If he does great but we shouldn’t rely on him to do so, its not fair to him.
Of our players, i think we should resign Blake and Koivu for cheap 3/4th line roles. Saku can still kill penalties and provide leadership. And blakes speed, and work ethic is perfect for a lower line player, his current salary however is not. Ellis should stay, our lower league keepers need more time (opinion), and we need Beauchemin to stay. Hagman is fun to watch, and seems versatile enough to keep.
As for free agency, im not sure we can compete with some of the big spending teams, and maybe we should be having a crack at the deadline to retool for next year? Once those players are on your team, they are easier to resign. Or trade for them, with the proviso that they resign. In any case i think Suter should be priority #1, and if we’re on the trade front i think Bouwmeester would be a handy pick up, and probably not for much considering Calgary need to retool.
From this team, I think we should keep Beauchemin, Parros and maybe one of Hagman or Blake, not both. I think Hagman is the better choice. He plays a slightly more physical game than Blake, and would probably make a good penalty killing, veteran, forward.
We need to complete retool this D. We should move Lydman and Visnovsky, and target Suter, have Tim Gleason as a second option, and we should look to Shane O’Brien as a definite acquisition. He’s a great bottom pair guy who makes people pay the price in front of the crease. He’s a better option than Lydman, and should already be playing for us, because he’s worth his minimal salary.
As for forwards, we should think of going after Ruslan Fedotenko, and maybe bringing back Travis Moen. Jarrett Stoll is an interesting option for a second line center if Koivu isn’t coming back and we don’t have faith in Holland and Bonino. Brandon Yip is another intriguing option. If memory serves, he played very well with Bonino when they were in college. Plus, Penner is an interesting option. I know he’s been horrible in L.A., but a return home can be good for some people. Beauchemin has looked better in his return to Anaheim than he ever did in Toronto. Bobby Ryan has had the most points as a partner for the twins, but bringing Penner back, especially for the cheap price after a few awful seasons, might provide the most stability that line has had since that upset over the Sharks. I also think we should think of moving Bobby Ryan. We’ll get a great return over the offseason, maybe better at the deadline. I also think Cogs should go. That kid is borderline dead weight
As for combinations.
Ryan-Getzlaf-Perry
DSP-Holland/Bonino-Etem
Fedotenko-Holland/Bonino-Cogs
Moen-Mace-Parros
Suter/Gleason/UFA-Beauchemin
Sbisa-Fowler
O’Brien-Clark
Lubo-Lydamn(if we can’t work out trades)
Also, we should consider bringing back Giguere. He might have worked out some health and other issues. He’ll be at least the same price as Ellis, and it might be some good and familiar pressure for Hiller.
and i think its right that he retires a duck! just saying
by BennyLightning on Jan 1, 2012 11:30 PM PST up reply actions
I put Fedotenko as a LW, because that’s how he’s listed on yahoo sports, but I remember him playing a lot more center, and he’s been a good defensive center as well as a quality playoff performer. He’s one of those guys that only scores clutch goals in the post season. Not to mention it might be good to have another Russian if we do get that number 1 overall pick. He’s a quality bottom 6 guy. He could even center the fourth line if we decide we don’t want to let Mace do it.
I choose Moen over Hagman for two reasons, age and role. Moen is a career bottom 6 guy. He knows his role and he brings an element of grit and skill that would be great in the bottom 6. Honeslty, I think he’s more comparable to Beleskey, except Moen has more experience filling that role. Hagman has, historically speaking, been more of a top 6 guy and I think his skill set lends itself more towards that role. Yes, he has speed, energy, and he’ll take the body, but he’s still a skill forward at heart. He’s the type of guy who augments skill players, not the type of guy who focuses solely on taking the body and wearing people down. It’s just a different mentality. I don’t think we should keep Blake for that job either. Let’s get guys who know what it means to play in the bottom 6. Moen is that guy.
Bonino is a surprisingly responsible center who is finding his offensive touch. There’s no telling which way he’ll go, but he could be an Eric Belanger type: a guy who is very responsible who finds a way to be a solid 30+ point contributor. Maybe he’s a second line center with great wingers, but I think he could do either role. The Ducks should be deep down the middle when Getzlaf is on that next contract. Bonino and Holland should be a big part of that.
Let’s not forget that Deschamps and Palmieri are still in Syracuse. We have scoring forwards to spare.
I agree Giguere should retire a Duck. I’m beginning to fade from my previous position on retiring his number. I do believe he should be up there before Niedermayer, though.
Surely Hagman, looking like he wants to kill and eat someone has to count in his favour…arent you a little curious to see if he does in fact do these wonderful things?? Anyway, considering the number of players coming off the books at seasons end i guess it does give an opportunity to go in a couple of directions with how the team is built. Personally i think a 3rd line featuring more scoring might be better in todays NHL. For this reason, i think Blake and Hagman should be signed, and you can have Bonino/Koivu centre them. That puts together a fairly tenacious line. Whether they would score alot is debatable, but it would be a threat, and should be defensively responsible.
Not sure how high i am on Deschamps. Having said that, i admit limited viewing, i am working in the western australian pilbra.
Giguere, cant have his number retired. but he should go out a duck!
by BennyLightning on Jan 2, 2012 12:52 PM PST up reply actions
If we keep Blake and Hagman, what are we really changing? We have a ton of young forwards, we need to use them or move them.
Deschamps is good enough that he can be traded or at least given a shot. He’s a fairly proficient scorer and might be a 30 point guy if he can make it up here. He has some playmaking ability and decent speed. He’s at least an asset.
I just think keeping Blake and Hagman means not adding a piece that could be more impactful. Ultimately, that’s the real risk of signing both of them.
I understand what your saying. I just think our youth and assets are best suited to a top 2 line role. In keeping Hagman and Blake and moving them to a 3rd line role we would still be opening up roster spots high in the line up. It also clears up secondary scoring, and provides some grit, and speed. They should also come relatively cheap, after coming off large contracts and in the twilight of their careers.
Furthermore i would argue that i would like to move any surplus of forwards we have to create a stronger defence. Id like to target a Bouweester, and Calgary could use forwards. Carolina might also be a consideration for a Pitkanen. Some thing like that anyway. For that matter, any spare cash we have should be channelled into the D (free agency?)
by BennyLightning on Jan 2, 2012 11:38 PM PST up reply actions
I see what you're saying
But I agree more with Daniel’s assesment of Blake and Hagman. They are top 6 guys forced into bottom 6 roles. I would rather have a guy like Moen who is dedicated to playing a bottom 6 game. That being said I like the idea of finding a spot for Hagman to stay with this team. I do think we will need to ship off some of the surplus young forwards in order to get a top Defenseman. I’m not a huge fan of Bouweester but I have always like Pitkanen and Gleason on Carolina.
Gleason is UFA this summer so we could make him a target. If we want more scoring from the third line, then keeping one of Hagman or Blake isn’t a bad idea, but keeping both is just superfluous. There’s no way they’ll be cheaper than a guy like Deschamps or Sexton who will be hungry to prove they are NHL players. Also, Beleskey has been playing well. A third line of Hags, Bonino and Beleskey is an interesting idea.
I just think having Blake and Hagman is like having two of the same piece. It’s just not what we need.
by Daniel AC on Jan 3, 2012 10:02 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
The problem with Sexton is that he quite simply isnt good enough at an NHL level. Maybe a new coach and a new system may prove me wrong, but he hasnt been effective in the big club yet. I personally think the ship has sailed in that department. Again, no idea about Deschamps, but is he ready for a full time role? or is he going to be riding the bus back and forth between the minors?
IF, we were to let Hagman and Blake (or one of them) leave, then i think the time to do it is now. While theyre on the list they are an asset, and they need to be flipped for something, even a 3rd/4th round pick. It just doesnt make sense to let 2 talented players walk for nothing, thats just bad business.
Gleason, might be a target, but only if we can get strong D around him. I think youd find that if we had him alone, it would be more of the same (as what we have).
by BennyLightning on Jan 3, 2012 12:43 PM PST up reply actions
I disagree about Sexton. You can argue he hasn’t put it together at the NHL level, but he has all the tools. That kid desperately needed PP time to get his confidence up.
Deschamps hasn’t been given a shot at the NHL yet, so we can’t know. Ultimately, keeping Blake and Hagman means not changing the team much from how it is now. You’re basically making the second line the third line and replacing the second line with rookies. I don’t see how that’s going to work out. Get some youth and speed to mix in with a savvy veteran. We’re too deep in the extremes of veteran an youth. We need a couple guys in their respective primes.
by Daniel AC on Jan 3, 2012 1:04 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Fair enough about sexton, BUT id argue that id rather give said time to Palmieri, Maroon, or Holland.
I know im stat watching right now, but looking at the crunch site, a 21pt season isnt really what id expect from a NHL scorer, in his age bracket playing in the A.
Deschamps…is now a non-factor. and i have no idea about the guy they traded him for.
As for making the 2nd line the new 3rd….maybe. but i like hte play of both of those guys, i just dont like their respective salaries and roster spots. The idea is to reduce their role, and upgrade the 2nd linel. Yes some of those players will be rookies, Etem will deserve a spot. I also like the idea of splitting getzlaf and perry, thus spreading the talent. We’d be short one 1st/2nd line centre, but we are anyway. Holland i think should play wing firstly, before shifting to centre if his play deems it later.
Sure if a better option comes up then you take it, but i think playing those 2 on a 3rd line is acceptable, and would provide scoring and energy
by BennyLightning on Jan 3, 2012 1:40 PM PST up reply actions
Luca Caputi, huh? That’s one way to waste a second round pick.
Sexton is the fifth best scorer on a team where he plays behind more touted prospects like, Holland, Palmieri, and Bonino. The fact is that Sexton was free and is therefore not developed the way we do guys we spent picks on. Think the Ducks are really going to let him play more minutes than Palmieri? Never happen. That was the problem while be was here too. He was never treated like a prospect, the team just expected him to produce. That’s a little unfair in my opinion.
Blake and Hagman have both had lots of trouble finishing. Let’s be real; they’re washed up top 6 guys. We can hope they’ll be good on the third line, bit that’s not the way they play. They augment top lines with physical play; they can’t carry the physical play all game. They can’t breakdown a D with the forecheck. That’s not their game. There’s better ways to spend money, than sticking with guys who are ready not getting it done. Keep Hagman, let Blake walk, let the kids play. These guys are not the right players to make us a contender. They both probably need to go, but I’m not opposed to keeping one as a veteran presence.
by Daniel AC on Jan 3, 2012 2:04 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
seriously i have no idea who this guy is?? anyone?
I cant comment because i honestly have not heard of this guy, but if your angle is to package Deschamps with other players to secure a better deal, then yes i agree. im way more concerned about D then the forwards corps. But thats probably to my mind that defence wins championships, hell even Jordans bulls needed Horace Grant and Dennis Rodman.
The thing is, they dont have to carry physical play all game. Only for third line minutes. Probably my main argument for keeping both is that i think the focus should be on D, more than anything else. We have an ok goalie, our forwards should be able to get it done, but the D is….unacceptable. Plus i think Blake is underrated, for one thing you cant pin any blame on the teams standing on him this year. Hagman…i just like. Thats it. personal preference im trying to justify. i can admit that.
And thats a good point about sexton, we have more highly touted prospects, who are at this point producing (ok in the A, didnt do alot with the big club), but you have to go with that. And they should go with these players over Sexton. Sexton should be moved, possibly as part of a package. but really shouldnt be a starting player at this club for it to win a conference title or better
by BennyLightning on Jan 3, 2012 3:17 PM PST up reply actions
That was my point. That we should package Deschamps. I agree that D is way more important, but forwards are important too. After we lost in the playoffs last year, I wrote a post about how we needed to improve the overall defensive ability of the forward unit.
Bottom 6 guys do have to carry the physical play all game, because that’s what they do. They have to play physically for their entire 12+ minutes every game. I don’t see those guys doing that. More importantly, why would you want tiny Jason Blake to be responsible for physical play.
I agree with you about Hagman. I think he’s the one we should keep. Blake is small, and not really a third line player. He’s old and he needs to go. There’s just no point in keeping him when we could seek out a cheaper, defensive forward, who has spent his career as a bottom 6 player and 100% knows his role.
That’s not really my point about Sexton. I would argue he’s produced marginally well considering he hasn’t been given a fair opportunity by the organization. He gets bumped down the depth chart, not necessarily because of performance, but because we didn’t spend a draft pick on him. We haven’t really been patient with him, we’ve told him to sink or swim. That’s not how you develop talent.
maybe Caputi, is packageable? really who is this guy? does any one have any actualy idea about his play?
I remember your post, and i dont disagree with it. One reason why i was lamenting not getting involved with mike richards. But i feel if we’re moving assets then its for D. Lots and Lots of D. Or jordan Staal, type player. I can concede that obviously.
Blake is small,and old. but he is tenacious and fast, and for 10 minutes a night can most likely sustain that. maybe we will find out in the next few weeks? As for cheap…he may come really cheap. If hes here after the deadline we should resign him, however im all for trading him AND hagman prior to that.
that might be so with regard to sexton, i just dont see him as a full time NHL player, and i think his value to us should be in a package deal. that he hasnt been moved yet, sort of says to me that maybe other GMs arent all that high on him either. Although that might be to do with his age (now), not young not old, but should be developed already
by BennyLightning on Jan 3, 2012 6:04 PM PST up reply actions
Caputi is a physical player. He’s not necessarily an enforcer, but he’s never been a scorer. He certainly doesn’t have the skill upside that Deschamps has. He’s a guy who will make us tougher in the bottom 6. Not a bad idea, but, why aren’t Parros, Jacques, and Beleskey getting that job done?
Blake is old, that’s really the issue. We should get someone who isn’t. He’s a good player, and if he’s on the third line, I’m sure I’d dislike him less. But I just don’t understand why we wouldn’t let a young guy like Maroon take his place. I think that’s a much better option for us.
As I’ve said before, he has the tools and he probably just needs the right situation. I bet you could find a GM who was interested, but I bet Murray doesn’t want to give up just yet and decrease the depth in Syracuse. It’s only one of those things that becomes apparent in time.
Does he make the team tougher? I can understand not making the penguins line up, but to be big and not make a ultimately bad toronto team under burke…seems…is he he going to replace parros, jacques etc?
Well im not adverse to youth. Which is one reason i think both he and hagman should be gone by trade. If they arent then we would be better served by signing them for cheap and playing them.
Maybe, i just dont see it. Its possible too that he may just be a career AHL player. Thats nothing to be ashamed of.
by BennyLightning on Jan 3, 2012 9:30 PM PST up reply actions
Lubo
If we do move Lubo, who do we think will be in the running? Philly or Boston? What do could we get for him?
by DavidBL on Jan 2, 2012 2:44 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Because I enjoy trade speculation..
I put together a few trade ideas and reasons why I think they may work.
Deal 1) trade Lubo to Boston for Krejci. This would allow Boston to move Seguin to the center and get them that PO specialist they wanted. Maybe throw in Sexton or Palmieri to sweetenthe deal.
Deal 2) trade centered around aquirering Mike Green. My preferance for this deal is Getzlaf. 1. With Krejci we are more able to move him. 2. Washington as been trying to get a center for the second line for years and would essentially be giving up a player they are used to playing without.
Deal 3) trade centered around Zajac. Zajac is a reliable #2 center who is currently playing 3rd line because of the emergance of Henreque and the chemestry on the second line. We may be able to put a package together to get him.
Depending on the deals we wouldn’t be dipping to much into our fa fund and would only be moving 1 true core player. We could still go after Suter and have the money to pay for him but we wouldn’t be screwed if we don’t get him. We can also address depth via FAs. So we might see a line up like this
Ryan-Krejci-Perry
Etem-Zejac-FA
DSP-Cogs/Holland-Gordon
Hagman-Gaustad-Parros
DSP can take Ryan’s spot on the top line and Cogs Holland and Gordon can make up the 3rd with Ryan taking the RW on the second.
For D we could see this:
Green-Beauchemin
Suter-Fowler
Sbisa-Lydman
Though I’d like to see Lydman moved in the deal to get Zajac.
Again this all in good fun I’d be extremely surprised if any of these deals or similar deals were made.
by DavidBL on Jan 2, 2012 7:36 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Somebody should e-mail this to Bob Murray. Better yet, send it certified!
by JLL on Jan 2, 2012 8:13 PM PST up reply actions
We can’t move Getzlaf. I know everyone is mad at him, but I don’t see why everyone else should be considered as having a bad year, but he’s a failure. More importantly, Green is not a sufficient return for a top line center. We’d better be getting a lot more than that. If you’re going to move Getzlaf, then we should make a big move for Getzlaf. Tell me you want Laich and Green. Let’s face it. Green is damaged goods. That groin might never be 100% again. I’d do Bobby Ryan, a forward prospect and a second round pick (in 2013, damn Cogliano) for Laich, Green and a first round pick. That’s a good deal.
However, I think that Krejci move is damn brilliant. It might take more than Lubo, but I think that’s the kind of deal Murray HAS to explore. Because we could do Holland, Lubo and maybe a pick from 2013 for Krejci. That would give us Getzlaf and Krejci up the middle and a legitimate challenge to Getzlaf as the top center, which would make for great motivation. I think Zajac is a good idea too, but that Krejci idea is baller.
I don’t know if we should do Green and Suter, but it could work. I think Schultz might make the team next year, which I forgot when I was doing my defensive pairs. Suter is the real prize, and I think Fowler could really benefit from a cheap, physical, stay at home guy like Shane O’Brien. What if we had pairs like this
Suter-Beauchemin
Sbisa-Schultz
Fowler-O’Brien
Fowler is still on the top PP unit, but plays on the bottom pair until his defensive game rounds out. Schultz can probably play on the first or second PP unit. Suter, Beauchemin, Sbisa and O’Brien will all be effective on the PK. Going after an O’Brien instead of a Green allows us to save money for the forwards.
Did i mention I love the idea of building a package around Lubo for Krejci. I’m gonna be thinking about that one for a while.
I centered The Green trade around Getzlaf under the assumption that we would also persue Zajac, who I feel would be easier to get out of NJ than Green out of Washington. I was just thinking of the main pieces of the trade, not the parts that even it out. Now maybe we can leave Zajac or persue him if we can’t get Krejci. Either way we would be stronger down the middle. I also liked the idea of resigning Koivu for 3rd line and Gaustad for 4th. In that situation you have each center challenging the one above to play better and can step up one line if a player is injured.
Maybe we can put a different package together for Green, maybe Beauchemin with the intent on resigning him later or a prospect package. Or maybe we get Chimera, or Ward or Laich in some combination. The reason I don’t like the idea of moving Ryan in this situation is after Perry he is our ONLY proven top 6 winger signed for next season.
I also agree that Suter really is the more integral player, but the simple fact that we will have to compete with 29 other teams, and I just don’t like the odds of us winning that bid war. On top of that, if we moved Lubo we really would need two top pairing defensemen. I also don’t like the idea of relying on a prospect to fill a top 4 role. We have asked Fowler to do it 2 years in a row and it hasn’t really worked.
Another FA D-man we may consider is Carle, hes a strong top 4 D. I have to be honest, I have lost pretty much all faith in Lydman this year.
Cap geek has a nice list of FAs here.
Gotta side with Daniel
I just don’t think Green is worth Getzlaf. Even if he’s healty we have players like Shultz and Fowler already that play similar games. I don’t see Krejci as a number 1 center. I think he’s an excellent 2 and if Koivu is not returning I think thats a great pick up. As for Zajac, again I would rather have Getzlaf and Krejci, than Krejci, Zajac and Green. I also agree with Daniel that O’Brien would be a great pick up. Most importantly this team needs leadership on the back end. I don’t think its “Suter or Bust”, but I don’t know the next time a top Defenseman is going to be on the market. And we desperately need a top Dman. Murray if you are reading this….OVERPAY if you need to. He’s worth it.
Laich can play wing and center, get him and Green in a Bobby deal and we’re deeper up front. More importantly, keeping Koivu means keeping Bonino and Holland out, If you pick up Krejci or Zajac. I think at least one of them needs to be playing. Maybe Bonino needs to get some time on wing and
He can play with Holland and someone else. There are options.
There are options for D too, but is Murray creative enough to make deals like this happen.
by Daniel AC on Jan 3, 2012 10:11 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
well we’ll find out soon. Its the first time in a long time, you could say we’re legitimate ‘sellers’ at the deadline. If murrays like most people he’ll fight like a bag of cats to keep his job…so should be entertaining
by BennyLightning on Jan 3, 2012 12:34 PM PST up reply actions
I get what your saying Daniel, and I think I would rather see us ship Bonino and give Holland a shot. I loved Holland in his limited time and I think he can play a 3rd or 2nd line Center game. I really like the idea of him in the NHL with Etem and DSP. Not on the same line per say but them on the same team is scary.
I think there are other options for a Physical D-man than O’Brien. I don’t think he is a bad choice but I would rather of Boychuk. I think Boychuk is simply a better defensmen but still has a physical gritty play style.
Again I never said a straight trade Getzlaf for Green. Injuries or not he is still a top defensmen, and we really have to be realistic about Suter. After Suter I think Green is our best option, especially if we trade Lubo. Fowler and Shultz may be similar in style but neither is ready to take on a top role. if we consider the length of a contract, probably 3-4 years you can more safely assume they will be ready and at that point you can let Green go. But to not aquire an established player because you have a similar prospect is just wishful thinking. We can’t build a team assuming our prospects are going to succeed.
And again I will concede I would probably rather have Getzlaf and Krejci/Zajac, but I based my deal ideas on what we need and what the other teams WANT and need vs what we have to give. Ryan could fit in a Washington deal, but as I stated, I don’t think we have enough established top 6 wingers to afford to move him. Though we could probably try and get one via FA. Maybe thats the route we take, trade Ryan for a top 2 D and go after Kris Versteeg in FA.
My point was simply that I don’t think Green is the “type” of Dman we need. I don’t think he’s a strong leader and I don’t think he is a physical presence or shutdown player. This team doesn’t need more offensive talent, it needs competent goaltending a defense to keep them in games.
I like O’Brien because he’s great value. Boychuk will be looking for a raise this summer. O’Brien has really settled into that physical, stay at home, bottom pair role. He’ll offer us good value at a price somewhere between 1-1.5. I think Boychuk is getting 2 or more. I agree that there are other options, Colin White or Scott Hannan would have been great pick ups for us. I just use O’Brien as the default example, because he comes at a good price and he is exactly the type of blue line player I think we need: he makes guys pay the price.
Let’s say we move Bobby Ryan, NIck Bonino and a pick, for Green and either Laich or Marcus Johanssen, who I also think is a great player. Sure we’re thinner on wing, but we have Etem, DSP and Palmieri developing very well and they need to be top 6 guys. More importantly, Green will crowd our blue line and we can then flip Lubo or Lydamn, or both, in a package for a top 6 forward. We have the pieces to replace Bobby in the top 6 and keep the wing from thinning out too much. Don’t forget Penner will be cheap this summer. I mean cheap. If he thinks coming home can get his career on track, we could see the return of PPG for less than 10 million total.
We have a lot of assets to make lots of moves. We should use Bobby and Lubo to improve our depth and then, as Kevin said, overpay for Suter. Give the guy a Brian Campbell contract. Pay him 7.5-8. I agree that Green isn’t the D we need. His defensive game is definitely underestimated, but we need a guy who can be IN the lineup. His injury history makes him a top 4 PP specialist, not a legitimate #1 guy, at least not for this contract and the next couple of years when we’ll need him to be so our D can develop. We have 4 good D for next year: Beauchemin, Schultz, Sbisa, and Fowler. Mat Clark is still a future option as a bottom pair, stay at home guy. We just really need that number one guy. Hell, maybe we can get Weber for Lubo and Bobby Ryan. I’ll do that trade everyday of the week.
So what do we do if/when Suter signs elsewhere? No one else on the list of FA fills that “role” that Suter fills as a Leader/top D-man. I don’t think there is anyone on the FA list that even comes close to a Top D-man. If Ryan and Weber net us Weber I can live with that as long as we sign him to at leat 3 years.
I don’t think a GM makes a trade like that without asking if he can talk contract first. You don’t give up those assets without a contract.
IF Suter signs elsewhere, you go for the next best thing. As a GM, you have to have multiple irons in the fire. There are plenty of serviceable defensemen out there who can tie us over until ours develop a little better, or until we can work a deal for that number 1 guy. Kubina used to be a number 1 guy and he has a couple years left in his legs. Gleason could be a good option, as would be Matt Carle out of Philly. There are options. The Ducks can generate offense from the blue line with guys like Schutlz, Fowler and Sbisa. They just need some good, strong defensive minded defenders to keep the puck out of the net.
I don’t disagree, I just get the feeling that everoyne thinks Suter is a cure all and I just dont see him in a Ducks uniform next year. If we do go the more committee route, I feel we’ll need more good defensemen then we have, similar to the system that Vancouver uses with their numerous good and established defensmen and no real “star” defensemen.
I don’t know if one player is ever a cure all, but a number one defender would be as close as it comes for us. Part of the reason I like us pursuing Weber is that he played with Getzlaf and Perry on the Canadian olympic team. Yeah, Suter and Bobby played together, but Getz, Perry and Weber are a core, Bobby and Suter are two really good players.
If we do it by committee, as I said, we have some good D to start. Those 4 are a good place to start and add some other quality guys to it, and rotate Clark in as a call up and we’ll be in good shape. Maybe…
If we dont get Weber or Suter
I think you have to aggressively target two solid Dmen over the offseason. Guys like Gleason and Carle via FA, or maybe guys like Subban or Tuytin via trades. Either way this team needs better defensive players to put on the ice. I love the idea of a Suter or Weber on the team but I agree that we will not be the only ones pursuing and we are not the most attractive destination (probably Detroit). So yes we will have to throw a Cambell like contract at him in order for this to work.
I’ve never been a fan of trading Bobby Ryan, but with all the top level prospects in the draft this year being Forwards and Offensive Dmen. It makes more sense to draft someone like Nail and then trade away the excess talent at forward for someone on the back end.
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