I have been on vacation for the past week plus. Not much has happened in Duckland in the time I was away, but I wanted to address a few things that have gone on with and around the team.

Jakob Silfverberg re-signed

Silfverberg, a restricted free agent (RFA), signed a one year contract for $850K last week. Many observers were a bit surprised with the short term. Its not hard to imagine the back and forth between the front office and Sifverberg's agent. After some hand wringing, posturing, and negotiation; I believe both sides did the right thing.

No doubt the Silverberg side was looking for a bigger payday, however they know that despite injuries, he didn't put up great numbers. It's the ideal situation for him to prove his worth to the Ducks. He will be a RFA again next off-season and a big year puts him in the drivers seat.

On the Ducks side, it's obvious the think highly of him. They know he is better than the 23 points he scored in 2013-14. At the same time, management has to have some doubts as well. Silfverberg didn't come close to Ryan's production as a Duck. If he does what he is capable of, the team will have to give him a bigger contract than they could have offered him this summer. On the other hand, if he isn't all that and a box of rocks, they can plan accordingly and use some of that money for an upgrade. They are prudent in taking a wait and see approach.

JSG hangs up the pads

By his comments at the end of last season, it was no surprise that Jean-Sebastien Giguere decided to retire. Much has been said in recent weeks about what JSG meant to the Ducks and I won't rehash much here. No fan will forget his post season magic and his stellar performances at crunch time. He was the backbone of two squads that made the Stanley Cup finals, winning one of them. Three pictures of him come to my mind when I think of him. First, was his bittersweet acceptance of the Conn Smythe trophy as the playoff MVP in a losing effort after the 2003 finals. The second was his reluctant curtain call last April with Teemu Selanne. Of course, the best was him hoisting the cup after winning it all in 2007. He leaves the game as the Ducks all-time wins leader and a class act.

What about DSP?

Still all quiet on the Devante Smith-Pelly front. They RFA is still unsigned with training camp a mere three weeks away. It is not time to sweat it yet, but the sooner this is done, the better we all will feel.


The Sweater on your Back

Every year I get my sons a new jersey for Christmas. I always try to pick out a player they like or someone of historical significance. It isn't always hockey, but I will tell you that a Gordie Howe jersey can always double as a Halloween costume without pads; thank you Ferris. Anyway, lets say I gave you the option of getting the Ducks jersey you wanted. You can pick any incarnation of the Ducks and you would get the name and number and if necessary the front “C” or “A”. Who and what would you choose?

I really like the new jerseys, but I'm torn. My first thought was a 2014 John Gibson jersey. However, if I didn't have one, I'd take a 2007 Scott Niedermayer with Stanley Cup patch.

-Ed

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