Come this summer, Anaheim's Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry will be front and center in the free agent frenzy that will allow teams to officially.... I say 'officially' because teams have basically ignored the tampering rules for years, either by technically prohibited back-channel communications or legally through trading for a soon-to-be UFAs rights ... court UFAs in the week leading up to July 1.

There is actually may be a closer drama bubbling under the surface... as in before the trade deadline. There have been discussions among Eastern teams about making an all-out push for former Hart Trophy winner Perry should Anaheim make him available. In the words of a veteran source, the Penguins and Rangers would be "willing to duke it out" to get the power forward (how scary is the thought of Malkin-Neal and Crosby-Perry being on separate lines? Yikes). Depending on where the Flyers are in the standings, they would also have to be considered a club that would become involved.

But here's the thing: Take a look at the current standings. Anaheim is in first place in the Pacific Division and has played amazing hockey of late. As such, they aren't going to consider ANY major moves right now other than continuing to talk to Getzlaf and Perry about re-signing in Anaheim rather than hitting the open market this summer.

If Anaheim nosedives... and I don't see that happening... then we could be looking at one hell of sweepstakes for Perry or Getzlaf by April. If not, the Ducks will roll with they've got, and try to get their biggest guns signed before the major, major bidding wars get started in free agency season.

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