Anaheim Calling: FanPosts

Pure Brilliance

2012-02-06T05:44:52Z

Everyone should watch this. After the Ducks skills competition on Saturday, the players were interviewed by the NHL network, or the Fox Sports people or even by the Ducks organization just for the sake of making this brilliant video. I laughed, and Teemu's panty dropper t-shirt is hilarious, albeit mildly sexist. The original link is from Puck Daddy, but the brilliance is free for everybody. Enjoy.

Defending the Blue Line Needs Your Vote

2012-01-31T22:06:16Z

Defending the Blue Line, a group that your very own George Parros has been a major part of, is up for an award directly from the President of the United States, and we need votes from the people... we need votes from you. The contest was going very smoothly, until this morning. One of our competitors has made a huge push today, and is threatening to take our lead.

We don't want that to happen.

So here I am, asking for your help. The process is very simple. Go to the Joining Forces Community Challenge DTBL page and click "vote." You will need to register, but that process takes less than a minute. Once confirmed, your vote will be counted, and you will be given the chance to share your vote on Facebook or Twitter.

The voting is open to one vote, per day, per person. The voting window resets each day at midnight eastern, so if you are willing to help, be sure to go back each day and vote again.

We would appreciate any support we can get, and would love the support of the Ducks fan base, as you all have been very good to our organization in the past. Would you do us the honor of casting your vote to help us out?

For your reference, you can visit Defending the Blue Line's website HERE, should you need more information.

Sorry for the distraction from hockey talk, but we really could use all the help we can get.

Anaheim Calling Baseball Keeper League Openings

2012-01-28T17:28:12Z

So last year we started this keeper league up and it went very well for the first one. The winner of the league was angelfan114.

First order of business is that anyone already in the league needs to select there keepers and check your email to see the email I sent. Second as we are going to be adding 2 more teams to this league so if anyone has any interest please let me know in the thread and leave your email. We also have 1 owner who isn't going to be returning so will have one open team for a total of three. Most settings are going to be the same but a few are different so settings are below:

League Settings: 8 team league, 12 keepers, H to H points

1 of each infield postion, 3 outfield, 2 Utility, 9 Pitchers, 3 relief pitchers, 7 bench, 2 DL

Rules for joining:

1. Be active don't do the draft and never look at your team again.

Also any questions and just ask.

Columbus allegedly getting the 2013 All-Star game. Anaheim shafted yet again.

2012-01-28T08:11:32Z

http://www.bluejacketsxtra.com/content/blogs/puck-rakers/index.html

Now, this hasn't been confirmed yet...but rumors are flying around that this Saturday, the NHL board of Governors will announce that the Columbus Blue Jackets will be the host of the 2013 All-Star Game. This article states that it's all but a done deal at this point and it includes a quote from the Blue Jackets owner. Even NBCsports.com has shared this news. At this point in time it is only a rumor, but as a Ducks fan, if this rumor is true it is very irritating.

Of the 30 teams in the NHL, only two clubs have yet to host an All-Star game OR an Entry draft. The Phoenix Coyotes and the Anaheim Ducks. It is understandable that in Phoenix's volatile situation, the NHL would not award them one of these events just out of principle. It is very likely that the original Winnipeg Jets, now the Coyotes, may find themselves in a new market entirely, as early as next season. With that much uncertainty, we can write off the Coyotes easily and understand it perfectly. What is beyond my understanding is why Anaheim is being ignored. We are not in any financial trouble. For a small-market team we've done pretty well in our almost 20 year history.

The Blue Jackets are 8 years younger than the Ducks and it hasn't even been 5 years since they last hosted the NHL Entry draft. Next year will be Anaheim's 20th year in the NHL. Not only have we never hosted either event, butwe will never get the chance to participate in the NHL's biggest event, the Winter Classic. Bettman has made it very clear that a Winter Classic in California is simply impossible. So we can only put our eggs in the ASG or draft basket. And what would be a more perfect time to host than our 20th anniversary. Noooooo. Give it to the club that desperately needs an NHL event...oh wait. They just hosted one. We've waited patiently.

To my knowledge, we have submitted bids for both events dating back to AT LEAST 2006. Brian Burke confirmed that during his entire time in Anaheim he tried to get us both events, and Murray has confirmed that he has continued the tradition, and we've been rejected every year since the lockout. Talking to a few NHL.com people, and a few TSN guys on Twitter it seems that last year the decision came down to Anaheim and Ottawa, and we both know how that played out. So wouldn't it make sense to give it to the runner up the next year? I mean Columbus has publicly stated that they submitted bids for the 2013, 14, 15, AND 16 games. What was the rush in giving it to them? I know we didn't retract our bid this year. Why would we?

My only explanation for this is, that the NHL feels bad for Columbus. In it's 12 years the only thing they have to be proud of thanks to terrible management is one playoff appearance. And as a fan how can you even brag about being swept clean in the first round of your only playoff appearance in 10 years? You can't. They aren't struggling to sell tickets however...this isn't a move by the NHL to stimulate their finances. The only LOGICAL explanation is this is a pity present. And the NHL expects us to just be happy to be continually sent to Europe to make us forget the other ACTUAL NHL events exist.

Most of us couldn't and still can't afford to go to Europe to watch our teams play. I honestly think the All-Star game has become a sham these days. But that doesn't distract from the principle of it. It's no secret that the NHL doesn't respect us as an organization. But it's really becoming a slap to the face every time we're rejected for this event. And as a fan, I still want to attend an event like this as a fan of the host team, even if it is a sham...it's part of the experience. Something Montreal fans have been granted almost 35 times (combining all their ASG's and drafts).

It's not just that we don't get this event. It's the complete and total disregard, and lack of respect the National Hockey League has for this organization. The league should be helping it's small market teams and rewarding it's patience, not stroking and coddling the teams that already get enough media attention as it is. Obviously Columbus is small market as well, but Pittsburgh (host of the 2013 Draft) is not and they certainly aren't struggling to put fans in the seats like we are.

How much longer do we have to wait until the NHL final says, "Damn! I wish Anaheim would stop bugging us about the All-Star Game. Just give it to them!" 5 years? 10? 20? Why wouldn't this be a good destination? It's not like we're located in the heart of the Mexican desert. We're in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA! I'm sure the All-Stars wouldn't mind 70 degree weather in January.

So, we've been patient...but how much more patient do we have to be? And when will the NHL finally respect us? I think we're going to have to wait a LONG time.

Bobby Ryan and I understand each other

2012-01-26T23:43:38Z

DANIEL:

Honestly, I'm as surprised as any of you. I don't know if I wasn't alive back in November, but I missed this. Apparently, Bobby Ryan is a huge Twilight fan, and he reviewed the latest movie in the series for Greg Wyshynski. In fairness to Bobby, he's not just a Twilight fan, he loves all things vampire. Ok, I'm not going to make fun of Bobby yet, and just say read this. It's funny.

Now all of you are probably wondering, "what does Bobby's love of Twilight have to do with Daniel?" I'm glad you asked. Bobby had this to say of Taylor Lautner's, performance in the recent film.

He’s been the guy who takes his shirt off and 12 year old girls scream. You can’t expect a lot from him to begin with. But he was so cheesy, man.

This is how I've always felt about Bobby. I never knew he'd be able to express my feelings so perfectly. When you all wonder why Bobby and I don't get along, it's because I think of him as the hockey equivalent of that dude in the film who's just there to take his shirt off. Alright, fun over. But seriously, read it. It's hilarious.

Buyers or Sellers?

2012-01-23T23:53:10Z

A month ago it was clear that we were sellers, so much so that even our Core players were available for the right price. Now this may still be true to some extent, but our current run has fogged up this question a bit. Usually a buyer is defined as a team looking to make a run deep into the playoffs or a team on the bubble trying to get in. We still don't really fit either of those criteria which by default means we should probably be sellers. So who do we Sell? Expiring contracts are usually the easiest to move. Young strong talent, which we have an abundance, could also be moved. But to what gain? Murray has already effectively taken one expiring contract off the block by giving Beachemin an extension. Some think that was a move to bring up his trade value, but if Murray traded him now I would probably protest outside Honda center. That leaves desirable assets such as Jason Blake, Niklas Hagman, George Parros, Selanne and Koivu for forwards and Brookbank on D. So who do we Sell and what do we want in return?

Honestly Hagman and Blake are the most likely to be moved. I don't see Selanne or Koivu going anywhere even though they are truly the most desirable of the expiring contracts. Koivu may even request a trade to someone like Chicago for a chance at the cup depending on his retirement plans We could probably get a decent pick return for a few of these players that we could use to move up the draft this summer. Of course if Koivu does plan to retire, do we consider trying to get Vermette out of Columbus, he once got almost 70 points. and could be a nice addition for 2nd line center.

Just trying to give something to debate with the trade deadline looming in about a month.

Ducks of a Feather: A Defense Partner for Fowler?

2012-01-21T23:34:51Z

Two Entry Drafts ago, Cam Fowler was predicted to go top-5, easily. A franchise defenseman, they said; a smooth-skating, cerebral guy that could put up points like no other in his age group. Inexplicably, he fell to the 12th pick, and became a Duck. (Perhaps the hockey gods love a good pun: after all, doesn't Fowl-er just fit with the Ducks?). Two years later, Fowler has become a tantalizing prospect- defensively unreliable and prone to offensive slumps, yet displaying his developing talents on a nightly basis. There is no doubt that he still has the potential to become the defenseman he was predicted to be, but the question needs to be asked: are the Ducks managing his potential in the way that they should be?

In the Ducks 2007 Cup-Winning Season, our captain was perhaps the best cerebral, smooth-skating defenseman in history- Scott Niedermayer. While Fowler will likely never be as great as #27, he has the same style, and certainly can be the centerpiece of a team. However, Niedermayer had one thing that Fowler has not been given: a defense partner that lets him maximize his game. Fowler can skate, but he is not physically aggressive, and will never be a shut-down defenseman. He doesn't have an overpowering shot, but he can pass. What Fowler and the Ducks needs to reach the next level of play is a Chris Pronger: A big, nasty son-of-a-gun that will hit, shoot, and clear space for Fowler to work his magic. Francois Beauchemin has that style, but is older and simply lacks the same level of talent. Instead of a gritty, older veteran, doesn't it make sense that Fowler mature with another talented prospect, letting them build chemistry as they enter their prime?

This is what Bob Murray needs to realize. While his core is solid, it is not complete. Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan provide the scoring talent, perhaps more talent than the '07 team. Fowler can learn to feed them better than most, and Jonas Hiller is a more than serviceable goaltender, the first half of this season aside. A defensive monster could push this team over the top; along with a solid checking line, he could see the Cup could return to Anaheim in a few years. So the question remains, where do we go? Do we make an effort to sign Shea Weber? Do we make sure we get a high enough pick this year to grab a top-line defenseman of that style, perhaps Ryan Murray? While both are viable options, the best choice may lay elsewhere.

Getzlaf and Perry are in their prime, as is Jonas Hiller, and Bobby Ryan is rapidly approaching his. Therefore, picking someone in this year's draft may mean that we have to wait too long. Shea Weber, on the other hand, may simply cost too much money to keep the core together, and is out of Fowler's age range. There isn't an easy answer to this question, but my preliminary answer would be to obtain the Tampa Bay Lightning's Victor Hedman. He is an elite prospect in the mold of Pronger or the Bruin's Zdeno Chara, and in between the age of Fowler and the rest of our core. Fowler-Hedman has the potential to become the next Niedermayer-Pronger, and while it may cost one of the Big Three to obtain him, giving one of them up would mean that we could grab not only Hedman, but depth that was the hallmark of a Cup team that won it all with two first-line stars and Chris Kunitz.

As this is my first-ever blog post, I'd love some feedback: Is breaking up the Big Three sacrilege? Can Fowler do it on his own? Is Hedman not the guy we should be after? All are tough questions, and we can only hope that Bob Murray holds all the right answers.

Poll

Should the Ducks pursue an elite shut-down defenseman to complement Cam Fowler?

Yes, and it should be an established star.

11 votes

No, we have what it takes already.

6 votes

Yes, and it should be a rising prospect.

8 votes

Not sure.

5 votes

30 votes | Poll has closed

Thoughts on Teemu, ASG

2012-01-16T19:12:17Z

So Teemu withdrawals from consideration for the ASG, where I personally think he would have been selected as a Captain alongside Alfredsson perhaps.

A member of the Ottawa media expresses his displeasure for Teemu (and Nick Lidstrom) withdrawing from consideration for the ASG. As a fan, especially a paying fan for an exhibition game, I would be disappointed if the real stars of the game don't go. Even as a Duck fan, and a Teemu fan, I too am slightly disappointed he won't be there. But I understand. Plus, it gives younger stars such as Corey Perry an opportunity to be there. I'd still rather have Teemu tthough.

What are your thoughts on Teemu skipping the game? Yay or Nay, and why?

I've linked the Puck Daddy post on here for reference.

Ok. GO!

Jeff Schultz Appears Available

2012-01-13T22:55:30Z

Lyle Richardson writes the rumor roundups for The Hockey News. In his latest installment, he reveals that Jeff Schultz is an unhappy camper on the Washington Capitals' scratch list. He's been scratched 12 of the past 14 games. Schultz is exactly the D we need. He's 6'6" and somewhere between 220-230 pounds, depending if you look at his player page at nhl.com or yahoo sports. Schultz has been a minus player twice in his professional career, both times with the Calgary hitmen. He was a remarkable +50 in 73 games, when he was playing for Bruce Boudreau. I haven't been watching every game the Caps have played so I don't know why the guy isn't playing, but he sounds like someone we should be interested in. He's also 2 years into a 4 year 11 million dollar contract. He's cheaper than Lydman, gives the puck away once every other game and blocks a fair amount of shots, although he isn't much of a hitter. Anyway, it's an option. Discuss.

Some interesting numbers.

2012-01-13T10:57:01Z

I was reading an ESPN insider article the other day and it laid the Ducks troubles on the fact that we don't posses the puck. They based this on shot based metrics that the writer didn't really go into, but apparently we don't do well in these categories. This isn't surprising considering on frequently we get out shot. Last years success the writer attributed to being on the good side of Lady Luck and now we are seeing things come back to normal. This led the writer into what I believe to be the premise of the article and something we around here have been saying for 2 years. Ready for it?.... The Ducks lack Depth. These people get paid to write these things, its amazing... but I digress. It did, however, get me thinking about our depth scoring and what the numbers actually looked like. So I sat down and crunched a few numbers and found them to be encouraging. As a disclaimer going into these calculations I considered depth scoring any goals scored by players not typically in our top 6 in addition of Lubo and Fowler. To make things easier for myself I just subtracted their goal totals from the team total instead of trying to figure out all the goals each player that has been rotated into our bottom 6 or an occasion step in on the top two lines. Here are the results for the first 41 games:

In the 2010-11 season the Ducks scored a total of 235 goals. Our top 2 lines with Lubo and Fowler accounted for 193 of those goals, leaving 42 goals by depth players. This is approximately 18% of our production last year.

Currently we have 103 goals and 75 of those come from the same 8 players with the exception that Hagman replaced Blake. This has our depth scoring for 27% of our teams production. Now this can be easily dismissed when you consider that the drop in top line scoring would increase the depth scoring %, which it has. Let us go a little further and actually look at goals produced. Currently our depth has produced 28 goals. For simplicities sake lets say we continue at this exact rate so by the end of the season we would have 56 goals produced by depth players. This is a 33% increase in production from last year. Is it enough? Probably not but it is nice to see it going in the right direction.

On the flip side we have our top 8 production obviously down from last year. The actual drop is 22% currently if we assume the continued pace for the rest of the season. The teams overall production would also go down to 206 goals for a decrease of approximately 12%

Another Stat that I looked at was our 5on5 scoring. last year we scored 140 goals 5on5 for approximately 60% of our production. For comparisons sake, Boston had 177 5on5 goals out of a total of 244 for 72% production. Boston was number 1, we were number 25, only better than Montreal, Minnesota, Edmonton, Ottawa, and New Jersey for 5on5 goals for. Lets go one step further by looking at those 5 teams production %s. Respectively they are: 64%, 64%, 66%, 69%, 69%. Of these teams, only Montreal made the playoffs last year. They like us benefited from a good power play as they were ranked 7th in the league. we were ranked 3rd. I'm pretty sure that put as last in the league in 5on5 scoring. Which brings us to this year. 73 of our 103 goals have come 5on5 for about 71% which is nice. But again actual gain is probably better served in comparing actual goals which would put us on pace for 146 or an increase of about 4%. Of course on the other side of this we have let in 95 of 132 goals for about 72% goals against coming on 5on5 where last year it was about 67%. Its hard to say weather this is from our depth playing poorer on D or our D and Goal tending just being poorer.

As for BB things are a bit more cloudy. Under BB we have 2.94 goals per game, under Carlyle we had 2.21 goals per game. On the other hand BB has a 3.41 goals against per game while Carlyle 3.08 goals against per game.

All in all I think there were some interesting numbers and some encouraging ones in there too. Feel free to debate relevancy or give your opinions.

Shocked by the alleged trade value of our core players

2012-01-09T11:33:15Z

Guys, I realize that whole "Fire Sale" Series that tries to come up with trades for our core players is just a theoretical exercise (or so most seem to hope) AND I completely agree with the following "common" points that most of AC and their readers seem to agree on: In order to be successful the Ducks need (1) to fire Murray, (2) re-establish a significant defensive forward unit a.k.a. the 3rd line on most teams and (3) get a top-notch defenseman of the calibre of Weber, Niedermayer, Pronger or even Doughty. What I find weird though is the value that some of the AC guys have attached to our core players in their posts. Here come those trades I find impossible:

1) Ryan for Laich:

Granted, Daniel did see this criticism coming, but I think it is completely unacceptable to trade a 25 year old repeat 30 goal scorer who can yet grow his game for a 28/29 year old checking center. I agree that Laich is great and would give this team exactly what it needs in a fantastic two way forward. However: a player that can do that should have been available via Free Agency one of the Pahlsson-less years and making up for the mistake by trading away a talent like Ryan is not the way to go in my opinion. If The Caps added a 1st and a 2nd rounder; maybe. I know you were not allowed to add draft picks to your core player swaps, but this does not work I think.

2) Perry for Sharp:

I think here we would be trading a player who is four years younger than what we would get in return for a player who is worse in skill and might well still end up with less points than Perry in what is easily his (Sharp's) best year. Sorry Daniel, but I cannot see how you think these two are equal value.

3) Hiller for Miller

I really think (and I actually really dislike Miller strongly) we would never get Miller for Hiller (who I think we all seem to undervalue right now; sometimes TEAMS make goaltenders as was the case with Bryz and is now with Smith in Phoenix, in Hiller's case we are "un-making" him right now I think). Miller would take us a bit more I think. The idea is not bad though.

4) Ryan for Shattenkirk

Guys, why do you all want to sell Ryan for such a low price? Shattenkirk is a great prospect and playing very well for his age. He is also (I think) a slightly less talented Fowler (and we already have Fowler) and would do nothing in terms of getting that "top-notch Dman" who can help now and in the future. I think we need (and can get for Ryan) a slightly more developed player.

5) Fowler for Fleury

I love Cam Fowler and think he will be a fantastic D man, but Fleury is way too valuable today to get him for Fowler (especially since the Pens have possibly the best young offensive d-man in Letang when healthy). Fleury is the only goalie who has a minimal chance of breaking Brodeur s records (if he sticks with the Crosby-Malkin-Staal-Letang Pens) and I think the Pens know his value. Maybe for Hiller and Fowler and then I think that would not be worth it.

6) Hiller for Eberle

Interesting idea as EDM needs a good goalie badly. Once again though, I think Eberle is valued much higher than Hiller is in the market.

7) Fowler for Del Zotto

I cannot even understand how that thought would cross anyone's mind?

8) Ryan for Staal

I like it. Honestly. I do think we could get just a slight bit more for Ryan, though.

Just my comments and my opinion, so don't think I wanted to enrage all of AC's regular staff by writing this :-). I guess the idea of the posts is to have some discussion, so I wrote down what I thought.

To make it easier to stab back at me, here are my ideas for core player 1 for 1 swaps (and before I do this, let me state that I do not want to trade any of them):

A) Getzlaf for Mikko Koivu: I realize, not my idea, but this is a great trade

B) Ryan for Bergeron: Bergeron is in the Selke discussion for years. He is just 26 and he has won everything you can win. Best face off man and not bad offensively. Definitely better than Staal I think.

C) Perry for Stamkos: again, not my idea, but equal value and a good trade. Lighting won't do it.

D) Fowler for Phaneuf: Yeah, this one is not great, but Phaneuf is a Dman who can do it all (much like Pronger could) and would (I believe) immediately turn this team into a contender with the rest staying as it is today. Sadly, this would trade away the future of the franchise in many ways I believe AND Burke would never do it.

E) Hiller for Rask: Boston would never do it. Still, I think Rask is the best goalie in the league and we will all see this once Thomas is done. As Boston probably won't do this, the alternative that I liked was Cory Schneider. (also not my idea) I have to admit though, that VAN will also not trade Schneider for another goalie as they have a starter. So what is left may only be Miller. We could go for Kipper or Reimer of course (I think Reimer is a very real possibility).

So that was my two cents :-).

Rumors in Buffalo

2012-01-08T18:49:10Z

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/Source-Derek-Roy-Key-in-Anaheim-Blockbuster/1/41147

Interesting article today on hockeybuzz.com. I know it's just a rumor, but I think it may have some validity. What players do you think would be involved, and do you really think the ducks would trade for an injured player? I would really hate the see Ryan go based on the fact he's one of the few players that can actually score these days. Yes, he is very inconsistent, but at least he is getting the job done when no one else is (Minus teemu of course).

On a side note..

Bob Murray is an idiot. That is all.

Firesale - Not the way to go

2012-01-05T09:41:18Z

Today, apparently Bob Murray told the media that he is putting everyone on the roster up for sale except Selanne and Koivu. It may just be a motivational tactic, but if it isn't I think there are two main points about this: First, this is a clear sign from the GM that he does not believe in his own work, namely the construction of the roster. If anything says more firmly "fire me now", I don't know. Secondly, I think it would be a huge mistake.

The core of this team with Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan, Koivu, (Selanne), Fowler, Sbisa, Visnovsky, Hiller is a very strong core that I think almost no other team can really match (except maybe the Penguins) in terms of marquee players. Add a new and successful coach (that we have now) and I can hardly see this team not perform in the future. The only thing that is needed is a valid and strong checking line like we had in 2007 and this is what Murray has failed at. Plus you can always debate if the defense does not actually need a Pronger/Niedermayer/Weber type of player. But I do not think trading Getzlaf for Giroux (even if that was possible) would help at all. This is one half, horrible, season, but it is not the end of the world....

Bobby Ryan's Availability

2012-01-05T03:50:19Z

Hey guys let me start out by saying I don't want to be a troll at all. I'm a Rangers fan and I'm just curious to know what you guys make of the whole Bobby Ryan debacle. I just wanna know how you guys feel about him.

Just a couple questions.

Would you trade him?

Looking at the Rangers roster what kind of return would you want? That's probably difficult for you guys to say because your probably not that familiar but i'm just wondering what you guys would think is a fair deal.

How good do you think Bobby Ryan is? Do you think Getzlaf and Perry make him better than he is or his truly a good talented player? I've never seen him play much, aside from a couple highlight reel goals and games against the Rangers so I don't know.

Thanks guys I know i'm a guest here i'm just curious to hear what Ducks fans think of him.

OC Register Journalists Talk Rebuilding and Bob Murray

2012-01-04T17:22:11Z

Eric Stephens and Jeff Miller don't exactly give Murray a vote of confidence in this Q&A they did. They raise important questions. Miller even took it a step further and said the Ducks should trade Getzlaf in a column. The only thing I'll say before we get into comments is that it is important not to overreact. There's a lot facing Anaheim fans right now. It's going to be tough for the rest of this year.