Vanilla Ice Cream

The Ducks may be the most boring off-ice team in the league. Rarely do you catch much gossip coming from the Ducks side of things. Additionally, they don't make many “eye-popping” trades. It's not a bad thing. That is of course unless you are in the information game.

This off-season, trading Frederik Andersen was a big move, yet not unexpected. Re-signing Sami Vatanen was a bit surprising, but a good business move. Brandon Pirri not given a qualifying offer isn't exactly a big deal.

The draft again was pretty much a vanilla affair for Anaheim. Drafting Max Jones may not have been what was expected because he seems to be Nick Ritchie 2.0. Otherwise, it went according to script.

GM Bob Murray is calculating and more importantly stealthy. Quite often we don't know whats going on until it happens or there is a leak from the other end. I'm happy with that and you should too be too. Its never good when your business is played out in public or if your players find out your plans in the media.

Chocolate Ice Cream

Today the NHL was anything but vanilla. Steven Stamkos resigning in Tampa was big, but the two trades made were franchise altering.

I actually understand the Oilers dealing away their captain. Taylor Hall is a great player, a franchise cornerstone, however in his six seasons the team has done nothing of consequence. Edmonton management sent a huge message to the rest of the club; “We moved Taylor Hall and we can move you as well, if you don't step it up.” The return is the problem.

Adam Larsson? Adam Larsson? I thought he was a great pick up for New Jersey as the 4th pick in the 2011 draft. Larsson hasn't come close to realizing his potential. It feels like Edmonton GM. Peter Chiarelli decided he was going to get rid of Hall, threw a dart over his shoulder and it hit a Devils logo. Adam Larsson? I understand about trading Hall out of conference, but get the Oilers have to get the best return they can. Adam Larsson?

I lived in Nashville for years and Shea Weber was the franchise. For fun, when the trade broke, I told my teenage son and he was shocked. He couldn't believe Weber got traded. It took a minute or two to sink in before he asked me who the Preds got back. P.K. Subban. “That's about the only equal trade they could make.”

Cherry On Top

If you are expecting off-season flash and headlines from the Ducks under Bob Murray, you're in for disappointment. Its not the way he does business. He'll make a deal if he feels it makes sense for the organization whether its sexy or not.

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