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Thoughts on Ducks Rumors, Possible Deals and Boudreau |
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Thoughts on Ducks Rumors, Possible Deals and Coach
Rumors
Earlier today, Ek posted that Boston is trying to get Cam Fowler from the Ducks. First, I would assume that Loui Eriksson would be coming back to Anaheim. I can't see General Manager Bob Murray doing this one straight up. Maybe Eriksson, Spooner and minor considerations. I don't have a problem with dealing Fowler, but if he gets traded, the Ducks need a good return. He has 2yrs left at $4M per season. That is a steal in the current market. Additionally, a Fowler departure would signal a Shea Theodore arrival.
On Friday, Ek had posted that goalie Frederick Andersen could be moved soon. Even if the Ducks are ready to hand the car keys over to John Gibson, this one doesn't seem like Murray's style. His track record suggests he would try to sign Andersen to an extension. If it doesn't appear that it is possible, then the trade talk would heat up. Of course, we have no idea what the state of discussions are between Andersen's agent and Murray. 26 year old, starting quality goalies don't come on the market very often. Laws of supply and demand point to the Ducks receiving close to a franchise player in return.
Moves I'd Like to See
A few caveats here. First, it's unlikely that most of the Western Conference would be willing to trade with Anaheim. Second, the Ducks have an internal player budget which is less than the maximum cap hits allowed.
* I've posted a few times that I believe Mikkel Boedker would do well as a Duck. The catch here is that he is a pending FA. Still it wouldn't cost a fortune to bring him in.
* Loui Eriksson is a good player. At this point in his career, he's not worth Cam Fowler, but would still be an asset.
* Matt Moulson would be nice a nice pick up. His salary and contract length are an issue for the Ducks.
* If there is a big deal to be made, the Islanders make good trade partners. Anders Lee and/or Brock Nelson would work. New York could also be a good destination for Andersen, providing Halak was included. The 30 year old Czech would be a good mentor for Gibson and can carry the load until the latter is ready to take over.
* How about giving Nick Ritchie a look see for a few games.
Bruce Boudreau
Reports of Boudreau's imminent termination were running rampant leading into the weekend. Those rumors were not unfounded considering Anaheim's cold open to the season. On Friday, the GM came out in support of his embattled coach. Murray's reasoning is sound when he said this team was with in a game of the cup finals last year and that the team is still jelling after making some personnel changes. He said that he doesn't want to make a “rash decision.” Making a change after starting 1-7-2 is hardly rash, but Murray deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Nashville @ Ducks
Nashville's season so far is the antithesis of what the Ducks have done. They are 7-1-2 and are riding a hot goalie in Pekka Rinne. In an effort to try and boost their offensive output without Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim will juggle the forward lines. Pat Maroon is back on the first line, while Carl Hagelin goes to the fourth. Also, Shawn Horcoff and Andrew Cogliano move to the second line with Jacob Silfverberg. A reconstituted third line has Jiri Sekac and Rickard Rackell sliding down a line and are joined by Chris Stewart. The defense pairings remain unchanged. Andersen is the probable starter in goal as of now. Here is tonight's lineup:
Forwards
Maroon-Kesler-Perry
Cogliano-Horcoff-Silfverberg
Sekac-Rakell-Stewart
Hagelin-Wagner-Santorelli
Defensemen
Lindhom-Bieksa
Fowler-Holzer
Stoner-Vatanen
Goalies
Andersen
Khudobin
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