Tough Loss

Saturday night's loss to L.A. was a hard one to take. Not just because Andrew Cogliano's game tying goal was disallowed (correct call). Not because it was the dreaded Kings. Rather the Ducks can't afford to drop division games. A few good signs from the game included:

* David Perron scoring a goal in his Ducks debut.
* 30 shots on goal against a good defense. They probably should have scored more goals, but they were on the wrong side of “puck luck.”
* Overall the team showed they weren't going to be pushed around and stood up for one another when challenged.

Anaheim, so far, is 4-3 on their big home stand with one game remaining.

Rumor Chart and the Ducks

Going over the Eklund's rumor chart the Ducks logo appears several times. I am a believer that the more chatter about a deal, the less imminent it is. In other words “loose lips sink ships.” Anyway, whether or not they happen, the fact that there is some talk usually indicates that a player is being discussed by someone.

One thing I have found from my years in business is that any asset is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. Because a player is available doesn't mean that the buyer will pay what the seller asks. Then its up to the seller to modify the price or hold the asset. The law of supply and demand in one of its purest forms. Other factors to consider are budgets and contact terms, which throw a monkey wrench into purely “hockey deals.”

Inbound

Dustin Byfuglien (25% chance) – Big Buff and his big posterior would add some grit to the offense. His $5.2M/yr contract is up at the end of the season, so he would be a rental. Unless the Ducks are definitely in the playoffs, he doesn't seem like a player GM Bob Murray would make a move for. If they are a contender, Buff would be a big asset. An Anaheim deal for Buff would go down closer to the trade deadline than now.

Keith Yandle (20%) – The Rangers may want to send him to Anaheim, but do the Ducks really need him? His contract is reasonable enough, but he too is in his walk year. The only way I see this happening is if the Rangers are willing to eat Bieksa's contract.

Kyle Okposo (20%) – Okposo would be a really nice addition. Another UFA to be, he could really fit on either of the top two lines. The bigger question would be why would the Isles trade Okposo if they are serious about their playoff chances?

Jamie McGinn (40%) - Buffalo covets several Ducks players. For what they want, young talent, McGinn won't get it done. He could, however be part of a muti-player deal. The knock here is that McGinn is a bottom six wing in Anaheim and the Ducks have plenty of those.

Tyler Bozak (20%) - The only reason the Ducks would want Bozak is if they give up on Nate Thompson. Bozak isn't going to center either of the top two lines. Even if Getzlaf or Kesler got hurt, Rakell would move back to center. Also, is he really worth $4.2M/yr for the next two seasons?

Jonathan Drouin (15%) - Drouin is a hot commodity on the trade market. His GM, Steve Yzerman, is in no hurry to send him out of South Florida. Murray won't pay the ransom it would take to get him at this point. If the Ducks do trade for Drouin, it would happen around the draft.

Bonus Jeff Skinner – A player the Ducks really like and have adequate resources to make a trade. The question they need to ask themselves is; are they willing to commit $18M over the next three seasons to him?

Outbound

Frederick Andersen (50% Chance) – The pending RFA is someone any team with goaltending questions would want. John Gibson is tied to the Ducks for another three years and then Anaheim still control his rights. That would seem to make Andersen expendable. Playing in San Diego are Anton Khudobin (temporarily a Duck while Andersen's back heals), Dustin Tokarski and Matt Hackett. All three have NHL experience and could back up Gibson, which makes an Anderson more trade feasible.

Sami Vatanen (60%) - The more I think about it, the more I think Vatanen should remain with Anaheim and get a contract extension. As good as Shea Theodore is right now, Vatanen is ahead of him. Vatanen is the most creative player the Ducks have on the back end. Murray should consider this before he decides to ship Vatanen out.

Bonus Chris Stewart – A player on a short term, cap friendly contract. If the Ducks do fall out of the chase, his grit and experience may be attractive to a shorthanded contender.

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