No doubt Ducks General Manager Bob Murray has lots of items on his plate this off-season. Among the most pressing issues are hiring a coach, re-signing his team's restricted free agents, and the entry draft. I figured I would give him a little help and put together a to do list.
Item #1 Lock Up Lindholm
Hampus Lindholm will be the cornerstone of Anaheim's blue line for the next decade. The kid is a defensive stalwart, often playing against the opposition's best scoring threats. His offense hasn't been eye-popping, but is steady. Keep in mind that he hasn't been asked to be a major offensive contributors. Watching him with the puck, its plain to see he has the skills to be a 40+ point player. Its time to sign the restricted free agent (RFA) to a long term deal.
Item #2 Get a Head Coach
The on ice body has been without a head, since Bruce Boudreau's firing over six weeks ago. Several candidates have been interviewed, but the head coaching position remains vacant. At this point, its odd that a new man has been hired. The draft is under two weeks away, followed by the opening of unrestricted free agency. Murray will want his coaches input in these areas. Additionally, prospective free agents will want to know what style the Ducks will play going forward.
Item #3 Let's Make A Deal – Part 1 - Andersen
Everyone and his brother knows the Ducks won't re-sign RFA goalie Frederick Andersen. He has earned number one goalie money due to his good play, but the Ducks already have a number one, John Gibson. There has been plenty of chatter that the its a weak trade market for goalies. Andersen is an exception, perhaps a reminder is needed. For his career he has a .604 winning percentage, 2.33 goals against average and .918 save percentage. Throw in that he's played in a conference championship and accomplished it all by the age age of 26, Andersen should be a hot commodity. At the least, he is worth a 2nd round draft pick. How would a goalie of his talent impact teams such as Ottawa, Philly or Toronto?
Item #4 Let's Make A Deal – Part 2 - Vats or Cam
Murray has to decide which defenseman he wants to keep, Sami Vatanen or Cam Fowler. A good case can be made to either keep or trade each player. My personal opinion is to resign Vatanen and trade Fowler. Vatanen is a dynamic puck handler and has elite offensive potential. In two seasons or so the same might be said about Shea Theodore, but as of now Vatanen is the power play quarterback. Keep in mind that in two years, Fowler will be a UFA and Theodore a RFA. A four year deal for the flashy Finn may be the better long term business decision. One other note about dealing away Fowler. There are a few teams that covet the former 2010 first round pick. He can bring back a much needed scoring left wing in a trade.
Item #5 The Draft
Another huge item for Murray is to figure out how much longer his cup contention window is with the current core. The heart of the offense is beginning the downside of their prime years. Ryan Kesler is 32, Ryan Getzlaf 31, and Corey Perry 31. Anaheim's minor league system is very deep in a few key areas and a bit thin in others. Is it worth it to deal the 24th selection for a player that can help the team make a final push with its current nucleus?
I've only covered the top five priorities I believe Murray has. There are others. Among them (but not limited to):
* Re-sign RFAs Rickard Rakell and Brandon Pirri.
* Decide whether or not to bring back Jamie McGinn, David Perron and Shawn Horcoff.
* Shea Theodore is about to crash the top six defensemen. That means either Clayton Stoner or Kevin Bieksa will be on the trade block.
* Identify UFAs to fill out the 2016-17 roster.
- Ed
I also wanted to offer my condolences to the family and fans of Gordie Howe. There is nothing I can add that hasn't been already said. I had the pleasure of watching him play toward the end of his career (the second time) and will never forget it.
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