Your Friendly Friday Links Roundup: The Linchpin Edition

by light_the_lamp on Jan 20, 2012 10:13 AM PST in Link Roundup

It's Frenchie, Jason, Nick, and Andrew's world. We're just visiting

Our third line is so awesome that (I'll let y'all fill in the blank). [Anaheim Ducks]
Most of the trade chatter has centered around the Ryans, but could Francois Beauchemin and/or Jason Blake be on the chopping block? [USA Today]
Is Jason Blake the "linchpin" of the Ducks' offense? [Ducks Daily Blog]
A baseless, unsubstantiated rumor: Teemu Selanne to Detroit? Apparently, they have the cap space. [Fannation]
Another unsubstantiated rumor that has nothing to do with us: Are the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes preparing to swap Tim Gleason and Jakub Voracek? [Canes Country]
Could Jarmo Kekalainen replace Pierre Gauthier as the Montreal Canadiens' GM? [Habs Eyes on the Prize]
"Imposters in Anaheim!" - SK [Ducks and Pucks]
The Calgary Herald discusses Ryan Getzlaf's strong second half. [Calgary Herald]
Bruce Boudreau refers to Luca Sbisa as a "'star in the making." My heart melts. [OC Register]
Ducks fans will receive a complimentary T-shirt at this Saturday's game vs Ottawa. This will be only the third time that we've played them at the Honda Center since our 2007 Cup win. [Anaheim Ducks]
Devante Smith-Pelly was Adventures in Pucking's Man of the Day on Wednesday. [Adventures in Pucking]
And speaking of things that happened on Wednesday: Francois Beauchemin was Puck Daddy's third star of the day. [Puck Daddy]
Ryan Miller and Martin Brodeur may be old, but they can still make clutch saves once in a while. [Backhand Shelf]
From the Vault: Randy Carlyle may not be our coach anymore, but at one point, he was a Norris Trophy-winning, hard-nosed defenseman. Watch him fight Ron Greschner (from December 19, 1984). [Sportspyder]

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Comments

In regards to the Beauch trade talk, I think trading him as soon as possible would be the best move. He’s giving absolutely everything to the Ducks, so as much as I hate to see him go, this could be a great move. The Ducks could probably acquire a lot of good pieces that may even shut down the Bobby trade talk for a while. And as much as I love Beauch, I love Bobby just a little bit more.

by JuMowbray on Jan 20, 2012 12:24 PM PST reply actions

Beauch has played really well with us, but I agree with the notion that he’s more expendable than Bobby. Beauch could potentially be part of a really strong package for a bonafide #1 defenseman.

by light_the_lamp on Jan 20, 2012 12:38 PM PST up reply actions

Also

Mark Bell (former Blackhawks first-round pick/reclamation project) has been recalled from Syracuse.

And I’d encourage you all to read the Gleason-Voracek article. Gleason – if you don’t know already – is a shutdown defenseman, and played for the US at the Vancouver Olympics. Is he someone we should be considering?

by light_the_lamp on Jan 20, 2012 12:47 PM PST reply actions

Hunch.

Guys who have played well lately: Beauchemin, Blake, Hagman.
How do they relate? All former Toronto Maple Leafs.
Mark Bell – another former Maple Leaf.

We face Ottawa tomorrow, a rival of the Leafs.

I smell a win brewing.

by JuMowbray on Jan 20, 2012 1:12 PM PST up reply actions

Anyone see the articles in the Register the past few days?

Both the youth and the Bobby articles make specific mention of how much happier and positive the players are under Boudreau. I know Randy wasn’t exactly a friendly guy but I didn’t realize how negative/critical he was in the locker room. It seriously sounds like the guys have had a huge weight lifted off their shoulder, especially the young guys and Bobby.

by PhantomPretender on Jan 20, 2012 1:16 PM PST via mobile reply actions

I would say no locker room with the record they had is a happy locker room. I am really enjoying BB as a coach and am excited for what hes doing with Sbisa and our 3d and 4th line. But I wouldn’t denigrate RCs contributions. That locker room was a terrible burden cause they were playing terrible. All those little problems go away with a few wins. Fellow teammates become less annoying and practice less of a burden.

by Thyme on Jan 20, 2012 1:43 PM PST up reply actions

I agree to an extent

But the young guys specficially mentioned that Boudreau let’s them work through mistakes and doesn’t chain them to the bench if they do make a mistake. That makes me think things weren’t quite so forgiving under Carlyle.

by PhantomPretender on Jan 20, 2012 1:54 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

The young guys, as well as someone like Parros, who is actually being given a shot instead of sitting on the bench the entire 3rd period of games.

by JuMowbray on Jan 20, 2012 2:05 PM PST up reply actions

Ducks just tweeted

That they signed Beauch to a three year extension. No financial info given yet.

by PhantomPretender on Jan 20, 2012 1:53 PM PST via mobile reply actions

3.5 each year.

by Newport Rebel on Jan 20, 2012 1:55 PM PST up reply actions

just saw that at the Register

3 years, 10.5 million.

http://ducks.ocregister.com/2012/01/20/ducks-sign-beauchemin-to-contract-extension/106009/

by PhantomPretender on Jan 20, 2012 1:57 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Not too sure what to think about this deal yet. 3 years too much? I guess this means he isn’t going to be traded? How much value can we get out of him in his 3rd year of service, or even when he’s ready to be traded?

This is a bit of a head-scratcher, sort of like the RC extension in the summer. Bob gets a bit reactionary once something good happens. Or maybe Boudreau saw him as a workhorse, and said he needed him. Although it also seemed like he needed Jeff Schultz.

by JuMowbray on Jan 20, 2012 2:11 PM PST up reply actions

I don’t think this is a head scratcher. I see it as a smart move actually. Beacuhemins value has been rising steadily all season. I honestly think he could have netted 4 mill + on the open market this summer. With his experience, improved play, grit and leadership. He can add a lot to a team. Murray probably had to give 3 years to get the price down, which is still less then what he is making now. I give props to Murray for getting this done now,

by DavidBL on Jan 20, 2012 3:49 PM PST up reply actions

Beauchemin will also be 35 at the end of his contract. Between now and 2015, a lot can happen. Schultz and Vatanen will be up, and Fowler and Sbisa will have improved. That’s 4 of our 6 spots between now and then filled with youth, and you can maybe add Matt Clark to that. So 5/6 spots are taken, and then we add Beauch into the mix. Also take into account that we’ve already seen Beauchemin’s play deteriorate at points this season, and usually when players get older, they play worse (obvious exception with Teemu). It’s only so long before Frankie will be playing in a faster paced game, where he won’t be able to keep up, and he’ll need to hit a lot more often to stay in games. I can’t really see him being a cog in Boudreau’s defense if that’s all he can offer. I have a feeling that sooner rather than later, we’ll be paying $3.5 million to a 6th or 7th defenseman.

I like the trade at the moment, and maybe for the next year, but I think this contract is going to be one of the uglier ones on our roster by 2013-2014.

by JuMowbray on Jan 20, 2012 4:47 PM PST up reply actions

I think that’s an optimistic outlook of our youth. Traditionally defensemen take longer to develope. So these guys can be expected to contribute probably around the age of 24. I think that still gives us around 2 years correct? I’m not sure how old these kids are. On top of that veteran leadership can not be discounted. That lineup of 5 defensmen was all under the age of 25. You need players like beauch to mentor them. We’re also assuming that we keep all of those players. Honestly I feel that’s too much youth for 1 blueline. I’d like a couple more late 20s in there personally with some early 30s. A couple of years in the A wont ruin their careers

by DavidBL on Jan 20, 2012 5:00 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Agreed

Also only one of those players mentioned (Clark) is a “defensive” dman. I love Beauchemin’s game and think this is a good deal. Although I really wish he was signed for like 3 or less a year instead. But I understand that he’s earned it with his play.

by Kevin Riach on Jan 20, 2012 5:02 PM PST up reply actions

Somewhere, I think I said 3 years 9 million and limited no movement. The contract is a little pricier than I had imagined, but it’s still a discount from what he’s making now, so I’ll call it a win.

I think, and I’ve said numerous times, that letting Beauchemin go was was one of the biggest mistakes Murray ever made. Every now and then there are guys who just seem to fit into certain teams. Beauchemin is one of those guys. He plays well for us, has a steadying effect on the young D and just seems to be a linchpin for our organization. There isn’t a reason; it’s just how it is.

This is a good deal. 3 years isn’t an albatross, he’ll still be movable at the end, if necessary. He plays solid top 4 minutes, and I doubt the game will deteriorate too bad before the end of the contract. We’ll have Schultz on an ELC for the duration of this deal so at least someone on the D will be coming at a discount. We already have Lydman as a 3 million dollar 6th D so I don’t see how having Beauchy as one would be worse. Forget about Vatanen. He probably isn’t a bad player, but he’s certainly superfluous when you consider we have Fowler and Schultz. How many undersized offensive defenseman does one team need?

This is a good signing. It’ll help the Ducks to move forward and keep the D in shape for the future.

by Daniel AC on Jan 20, 2012 5:31 PM PST up reply actions

I suppose I’m being a bit too pessimistic, but I just think that with the way Beauchemin plays (using physicality to make up for his slowness), his game will deteriorate a lot faster than the average defenseman.

And I suppose I should be pessimistic about our defensive prospects. I mean, this is the same farm system that churned out future HOF’ers such as Brian Salcido, Mark Mitera and Brendan Mikkelson.

by JuMowbray on Jan 20, 2012 5:53 PM PST up reply actions

Those might have just been bad picks. By all accounts, Schultz is the real deal, and we should remember that Boudreau has shown he can work in young talent at a faster rate than Carlyle.

I think you are being overly pessimistic about Beauchemin. he’s entering the latter half of his prime, but it’s still his prime. Realistically, it’s more like 2 years and a chance at a trade if he’s not cracking the lineup. To me, this is a good signing at a pretty good rate. It’s not the ideal contract, but it could have been a lot worse.

by Daniel AC on Jan 20, 2012 6:00 PM PST up reply actions

I have a hard time believing it’s his prime. A defenseman who plays like him, and has played with the type of grit and physicality for such a long time in his career, I think hits his prime early in his career. I’d say ‘07-’08 was when he entered his prime (because I can’t say that in ‘06-’07 he wasn’t approaching it), and he wasted a good chunk of it in Toronto. He’s still in his prime now, but I say it lasts until he’s 32, not into his mid-30’s like some other defensemen.

by JuMowbray on Jan 20, 2012 6:05 PM PST up reply actions

When you consider the steadily inflating defensemen salaries I think 3.5 is good value for a known commodity. I’d rather spend 3.5 on beauch than 3. On a similar free agent I think d-men play into their late 30s very often. Even physical ones. Prongers older and was still playing well till his recnet injury. Can’t tell me he’s not a physical player.

by DavidBL on Jan 20, 2012 6:32 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

That’s true. I’m becoming more sold on the deal, especially when guys who will only be a bit more effective (Suter in particular), will command around 6 – 7.5 on the UFA market.

by JuMowbray on Jan 20, 2012 7:36 PM PST up reply actions

Exactly

In fact the Ducks should really throw Vatanen into a potential deal, I just honestly don’t see a need for him in our organization. Move him before it turns into another Deshamps situation and his value is way less.

Also I agree with Daniel that it will be a fine contract. I truly believe that Beauch will be a lot like Teamu where Anaheim is like a fountain of youth for his career. I think come 35 we might sign him to a 1 or 2 year deal.

by Kevin Riach on Jan 20, 2012 6:00 PM PST up reply actions

Think of those 3 years as an investment

We are going to have a young D corps during this contract and we are going to need a vet to help out the rookies. This money is going to Frankie but it will help Fowler , Sbisa, Clark, and Schutz as well.

by Newport Rebel on Jan 20, 2012 7:23 PM PST up reply actions

by Kevin Riach on Jan 20, 2012 10:03 PM PST up reply actions

It’s a starting point," Murray said. "It’s part of your game plan going forward. Yes, we have young defensemen coming along but you going to need a veteran to play with them."

http://ducks.ocregister.com/2012/01/20/ducks-sign-beauchemin-to-contract-extension/106009/

by JD54 on Jan 20, 2012 10:28 PM PST up reply actions