The Anaheim Ducks made waves yesterday by dealing away fan-favorite and prolific 30-goal scorer, Bobby Ryan, to the Ottawa Senators for two prospects and a pick.
At first the deal was shocking. Who they heck saw the Sens coming in to snatch Ryan? Not this guy. But, when you dig deeper the deal works out great for both sides. Ottawa was reeling from the loss of long-time hero and captain Daniel Alfredsson (signed with the Wings) and the Ducks needed to think about building long-tern around Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Both of who signed multi-year extensions during the regular season. As we all suspected that made Ryan expendable.
Of all the supposed deals involving Ryan, the one that actually happened turned out to be the best, by far. The Sens sent wingers Jakob Silfverberg and Stefan Noesen along with a first-round pick back to Anaheim.
Silfverberg and Noesen are highly touted young players with a ton of upside. In addition, Ottawa’s 2014 first-round draft pick could turn out to be a good one. The Sens finished seventh last season and they will be without the teams' heart and soul in Alfredsson for the first time in 17 seasons.
The 22-year-old Silfverberg played in all 48 of the Senators games last season, collecting 19 points (10g 9a) and was a plus-9. He could very well be a future star for the Ducks.
The 20-year-old Noesen is a skilled forward that could potentially develop into a serviceable NHL player.
(Noesen) comes with leadership ability, delivers in the clutch and could develop into a highly-desirable second or third line NHL winger. - http://www.hockeysfuture.com/
***
Anaheim also re-signed 38-year-old Saku Koivu to a one-year deal.
Koivu was very good for Anaheim in the lockout shortened year. He collected 27 points (8g, 19a) in 47 games. He was on pace to collect 47 points in an 82 game season. That would have been Koivu's highest point production since 2009-10, his first year in Anaheim when he had 52 points.
I thought bringing back Saku was very important to the Ducks. He was a good leader on and off the ice and Anaheim needs that as they work their younger players into the line-up.
***
Derek Roy to the Ducks? That's the speculation right now. He and the Ducks spoke briefly yesterday and the feeling is that i'ts down to Anaheim and another team for the veteran center.
The 30-year-old center had 27 points (7g 21a) in 42 games between Dallas and Vancouver. His presence would definitely improve the Ducks up the middle and in the face-off circle. He is almost 50% from the dot. For comparison, that would put him comfortably second on the Ducks behind Koivu's 52%.
I'll post a update if a deal is reached with the Ducks or he signs elsewhere.
UPDATE! Roy goes to the Blues and from the sound of it most Ducks fans could care less.
***
Follow me on Twitter! @StevePalumboTHW
On Facebook at StevePalumboNHL
Email me at [email protected] 
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»