The Ducks are on their five day hiatus. Its a good time to answer some reader questions to fill the time. Once again you came through with some good stuff to work with. I'm going to break this up into two parts, Monday and Tuesday. Here we go.
Q: How is Simon Despres doing?
A: Despres suffered his second major concussion back in mid-October. Its understandable that fans are concerned about the defenseman's health. Shortly after the incident, GM Bob Murray said, “my whole goal hopefully is make it that Simon at the end of all this lives a happy, healthy, normal life," in an interview with ESPN's Pierre LeBreun
I've checked with two separate sources on this question, and there is nothing new to report. The gist is that Despres is following the league's concussion protocol. There is no timetable for his return and looks forward to playing again.
Q: Do you like the random weeks off or would you prefer all western teams take one week and all eastern the following week. So there would be no hockey stoppage, but comparable teams have all played the same number of games.?
A: Reasoning behind the five day break is understandable. The NHL season is a long grind for its players and a week off is a time for them to recharge their physical and mental batteries. If it were me, I might do things a bit differently. Place the break around the all-star game maybe Thursday through Wednesday. That's not all. The NHL should work with other leagues and/or organizations to keep the sport going during the break. Why not have a WJC tournament going on around that time? How about part of the Beanpot? Maybe even a Big 10 outdoor game, etc.
Q: Should the Ducks try to keep their six young stud defensemen together (Fowler, Vatanen, Lindholm, Manson, Theodore, and Montour)?
A: Try, sure; but the biggest mitigating factor isn't one of the names on your list. If Kevin Bieksa waives his no movement clause for the draft, it will be very difficult to keep all six. If he doesn't waive, it will be impossible. As much as any Ducks fan may hate the idea of losing one of those guys, reality is staring down the gun barrel.
Q: Will the Ducks actually make it out of a game 7 this year? Note: They have to make the playoffs first.
A: You are correct to state that the Ducks must make make the playoffs first, that issue is far from settled. As far as their performance in the playoffs goes, I like Randy Carlyle over Bruce Boudreau in crunch playoff games as the former has shown he can win the big one. I think John Gibson has the ability to carry this team in any given game. As they say in boxing, Anaheim has a punchers chance.
Q: How will the Ducks possibly keep up with speed teams over a 7-game series?
A: The problem for the Ducks in an extended series is that they are a “tweener” team. They have both more speed and more strength then average teams, but don't excel in either facet. As with any “ball (or puck) movement sport”, speed can be beat with physicality and pressure. Keep the play in the opponents end and hustle back on defense.
Q: Given the trade history between the Leafs and Ducks, and given their current trade situation (IE. Leafs needing D....Ducks looking to move D), I would be curious to know what potential trade(s) you could see happening between the clubs.
A: It takes two parties to agree on a trade. The better question here is what part of their young cadre of skilled young forwards would Toronto move to get the dynamic defenseman Anaheim can send them. Murray wants to make a hockey deal and JvR only has 16 months left on his contract, so a trade for the Jersey native isn't the obvious choice as it was last summer. Murray has already said the past week that he doesn't feel pressured to make another trade, so Lou Lamoriello, et al has to offer something to get his attention.
If you want to get a question in for tomorrow's part two of Ask Ed, go to the top of this page and click on the contact link to send me a PM.
Anaheim Ducks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»