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Update: Three Rejoin Flock and Thoughts on Heatley

July 11, 2014, 3:57 PM ET [34 Comments]
Ed Stein
Anaheim Ducks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Lets face it, summer isn't the equivalent of holiday rush season in the NHL. Things are generally quiet around the league, with occasional spikes. I'm not a huge believer in contrived columns, but I do entertain the possibility of an event happening. As they say on “The Daily Show”: when news breaks...we fix it.

Three Ducks Re-sign
Yesterday the Ducks announced the resigning of two minor league restricted free agents. Defensemen Mat Clark and Jesse Blacker were both re-signed to two-way contracts. If they make the NHL roster, they will each make $550,000. With eight defensemen signed and the re-inking of Sami Vatanen imminent, it is unlikely either will play for the Ducks.

UPDATE: Earlier this evening, NHL.com reported center Louis Leblanc signed a similar two way contract. Leblanc was acquired from Montreal a month ago for a conditional 5th round pick in the 2015 NHL draft.

Dany Heatley Analysis
Time to discuss the big acquisition of the week, Dany Heatley. There is obviously a difference of opinion as to how much he can contribute to next year's Ducks team. Some of you feel that he is way past his prime and is a fourth line player. Others believe that Heatley has plenty left in the tank and can be a major asset again. In my opinion, both camps are correct. I'll explain why.

Heatley is obviously a talented player, but he is far from the 50 goal, 100 point player he was in the middle of the last decade. That doesn't mean he can't add an offensive spark. It's all in how he is used.

At age 33, Heater just can't play the minutes he used to and be a difference maker, but why does he have to? How about he plays the opening period plus on the first or second lines and then down shift him to a lower line. Additionally, he is a proven power play scorer so that part of his game can be taken advantage of as well. He doesn't have to play 18 to 20 minutes a game to contribute.

The team is deep enough to move him and other players around to different lines according to the situation. I believe that Bruce Boudreau is also a savvy enough coach to pick his spots with Heater.

To sum up, the $1M/1 year contract Dany Heatley signed is a bargain deal for a talented veteran that can add additional scoring to a great team. Bob Murray showed why he is the reigning GM of the year with this low risk/high reward deal. How many players with Heatley's upside were available at the price. I'm not saying it's a definite win because time will bear that out. I do believe that the potential for Heatley to be a 40 to 50 point player, if used correctly is there. If it doesn't work, the Ducks really aren't out much.

Until next time...

-Ed
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