Ed.

I refuse to read the hotstove as I don't read James Tanner; he's a sensationalist or not very bright & neither are positive. I have had rediculous debates with him to the point I just stopped reading him. I assume its an age iissue & as he's a regular contributor to the hotstove I won't read it as well. I would suggest you save yourself the aggravation as well. I do read Todd Cordell a solid writer & Jason Lewis; Jason please write more stuff you don't post enough material.

I don't agree with your assessment of Murray not being able to sign Andersen. He could have had he choose to do so but had no need to nor did it make sense to. It's not that he couldn't. No GM better manages the cap & ices a top flight roster than Murray. Had he signed Andersen he wouldn't have gotten 5 years at 5 mil like he received in Toronto as their guaranteed starter. He would have had to take a shorter term deal with no guarantee he's Anaheim's #1 but part of a tandem. He would have had to take a short term deal, probably at 3 to 3.5 for 1 or 2 years maybe 3 at 4.

Murray is always ahead of the curve. The only real error was giving Bieksa an NMC with the expansion draft looming.

Don't worry about what people say about Anaheim today. Based on what we know today they have been disappointing at least as it relates to what he's done to today's roster. Murray moves out assets when necessary, flipping Andersen a player he doesn't need with Gibson the future #1 he beat the goalie market glut. Poor Pittsburgh & TB. He got back not just a 1st this season but Toronto's 2nd next year which will be a solid pick. Great asset management.

McGinn & Perron barely played in Anaheim last season. Anaheim had 103 points having played brutal for start to the season. Those parts are interchangeable & Anaheim has done so now for almost 3 years now. Ritchie is a full time NHLer next season at #3 LW at a bare minimum, Anaheim's future #1.

I assume 1 Dman is moving but absolutely no rush. Even if it doesn't happen I'm happy with where Anaheim is come expansion. If nothing changes they protect 4 Dman 4 forwards & expose Rackell & Despres. I assume Despres would be selected but I also assume a Dman will be moved & it will return futures & a #1/2 LW on a decent contract with term. Anaheim doesn't currently have any where near 7 forward keepers & Cogliano isn't a protector. Great player but replaceable.

Come the start of the season all will be well. If not Murray will do what he does, flip a player out for another option & come trade deadline time bring in a few rentals to help their playoff chances. Anaheim with this core group of 6 forwards & D is & will be a cup contender for several more years yet. It's just to bad they play in the west. Brutal trying to get out of the west.

Pardon me should have read or may 4 at 3. Meaning 4 mil at 3 years.

Most of that is contradictory. I'm pretty darn good at math, but there is an old saying, "figures can lie and liars can figure." Say what you want about percentages, the most important numbers are 1-8 in Game 7's and 5-13 in closeouts. Winning is the most important stat and he wasn't getting the job done.
- Ed Stein

In what way is it contradictory?

You (and plenty of other Boudreau detractors) are being results-oriented, not process-oriented. You go through a process to give your team the best chance to win. Sometimes luck goes your way and sometimes it doesn't.

For reference, the lowest PDO in the league this past season was 98.3. The Ducks' playoff PDO in close-out games under Boudreau is way, way lower. There is no way for Boudreau to out-coach that kind of luck and player performance, and to say "here's what his playoff record is and that's what matters" is turning a blind eye to the math that you're pretty darn good at.

Rakell is not going to be exposed to the expansion draft.

It's interesting you pick up what you wish to. If nothing changes on today's roster & obviously it will but as I said based on what we know today if Rackell isn't exposed who will be?

It's interesting you pick up what you wish to. If nothing changes on today's roster & obviously it will but as I said based on what we know today if Rackell isn't exposed who will be?
- striker777

It's not a question of "pick up what you want to", it's a question of common sense. There is zero chance Rakell is going to be exposed. None. Now, until I see what moves Murray makes between now and the ACTUAL DRAFT, I'm not going to speculate on who will be exposed. But I can guarantee who won't be, with Rakell being one. Neither will Lindholm or Vatanen or Gibson. Players with NMC get asked to waive them all the time, so I'm not "assuming" all will be around come draft day. Come on, be real. If Murray were to expose Rakell to the expansion draft, he should be fired immediately.


edit: and you can't honestly believe Despres would be claimed ahead of Rakell? Really?

Although the Bieksa NMC was a mistake, I still don't see any scenario where you don't:
a) Ask Bieksa to wave so he can be exposed. Most likely he won't get picked up with only one year left on his deal and he stays with the Ducks
b) Ask Bieksa to wave so he can be traded. Doubt there are many takers and don't think he would want to be traded.
c) If he doesn't go for A or B, buyout the final year of his deal.

If Fowler gets moved for a forward, then you can protect 7 forwards and will only need to protect Lindholm, Vats and Manson.

There is no reason and it would be incredibly foolish to risk losing Rakell in the expansion. Between Rakell and Despres; its a no brainer. You protect Rakell.

When push comes to shove numerous teams are going to have to make hard decisions.

I don't disagree with you but if you don't want to play the game make your own comment & not slag mine.

Not trying to be rude, not my intention, but bloggers, journalist, broadcasters & fantasy GM's have to look extrapolate as well as take snap shots.

Obviously you don't participate in fantasy leagues or if you did you would care. I participate in 3 & run 8, each cost 5K to participate in. Rest assured every GM in these leagues is extrapolating this data dailey & trying to get a handle on it as it significantly impacts our fantasy teams & our ability to win. Just like the real world. These are crazed hockey pool/fantasy league GM's.

You said the magic word ... Assume - and when you leave yourself so little time to sign both things get magnified / contract disputes or questions about this and that -
Or worse alienating one or both with short term bridge or qualifying offers & perhaps costing yourself bigger money down the road - both these guys I think have proven themselves past any doubt -
- dozerD10

I "assume" a plane won't fly into my house, but I acknowledge I could be wrong.

I think you're worrying about nothing. Come the middle of September and we hear negotiations are going poorly, THEN worry. Look around the league. There are a ton of RFA's that haven't signed yet. It's okay. There's established salary structures in place for players of their caliber. There's negotiations going on, and until I hear otherwise, I'll trust Murray when he says they'll be signed some time late summer.

It's interesting you pick up what you wish to. If nothing changes on today's roster & obviously it will but as I said based on what we know today if Rackell isn't exposed who will be?
- striker777

Is this a serious question? Rakell will be protected, along with only 3 defenders, Bieksa, Lindholm and Vatanen as it stands now. Cogliano must be protected as he has a NTC. Same for Getzlaf, Perry and Kesler. The last two forwards will probably be Silfverberg and any LW they can pick up in a trade or Wagner. Pretty much nobody significant will be exposed. Looking like Despres, Fowler and Manson, two of which would be exposed anyway under your scenario (along with Rakell and Silfverberg which is crazy talk).

When push comes to shove numerous teams are going to have to make hard decisions.

I don't disagree with you but if you don't want to play the game make your own comment & not slag mine.

Not trying to be rude, not my intention, but bloggers, journalist, broadcasters & fantasy GM's have to look extrapolate as well as take snap shots.

Obviously you don't participate in fantasy leagues or if you did you would care. I participate in 3 & run 8, each cost 5K to participate in. Rest assured every GM in these leagues is extrapolating this data dailey & trying to get a handle on it as it significantly impacts our fantasy teams & our ability to win. Just like the real world. These are crazed hockey pool/fantasy league GM's.
- striker777

I didn't mean to "slag" (?) you, but just because you participate in a few fantasy leagues doesn't make you an expert on the expansion draft. I have every right to point out my disagreement with your opinion as you have the right to disagree with mine.

Rakell is not going to be exposed to the expansion draft.
- quackup

I know right - Rakell exposed in exp draft... sure - Unreal -

I don't think Bieksa will waive. He used his NTC to get to Anaheim as this is where he wanted to play with his good buddy Kesler & on a serious cup contender signing very soon after arriving. Murray was aware it would require him being protected come expansion. Now I'm not saying it is impossible just highly unlikely he agrees to waive, I wouldn't. He does so? He won't want to go to Las Vegas I can assure you. who doesn't want to live in southern California & play for a serious cup contender?

Don't want to play the based on what we know today but wanting to extrapolate the future which is far harder & pure speculation.

What the today game shows is who has to be traded to make it work come expansion time. Currently Anaheim is sort of locked into the 8 skater scenario, should they move 1 Dman they are still going to expose at least 1 solid Dman. Everyone thinks it's Fowler that's moving I don't have a clue, it makes sense so lets say it is. That still leaves Despres & Manson exposed if Anaheim chooses the 7 forward option.

Despres is a very good Dman. He looked terrible upon returning from his concussion & if he can't get back to where he was who cares if we lose him & losing Manson isn't the end of the world. Going to be a solid shut down Dman in the NHL may even have #4 ability in a few years. Your going to lose something & if that's they cost awesome.[/img]

Although the Bieksa NMC was a mistake, I still don't see any scenario where you don't:
a) Ask Bieksa to wave so he can be exposed. Most likely he won't get picked up with only one year left on his deal and he stays with the Ducks
b) Ask Bieksa to wave so he can be traded. Doubt there are many takers and don't think he would want to be traded.
c) If he doesn't go for A or B, buyout the final year of his deal.

If Fowler gets moved for a forward, then you can protect 7 forwards and will only need to protect Lindholm, Vats and Manson.

There is no reason and it would be incredibly foolish to risk losing Rakell in the expansion. Between Rakell and Despres; its a no brainer. You protect Rakell.
- CptAhab

There is virtually zero chance Bieksa will be bought out. He is an over 35 contract so there is no cap savings from a buyout AND the Ducks would have to pay him for an extra year, albeit at 33% reduction in salary. In terms of the expansion draft, buying him out only results in protecting 1 of the additional 3 players they would like to protect on defense. It doesn't prevent much as one of the 3 will still be claimed.

Is this a serious question? Rakell will be protected, along with only 3 defenders, Bieksa, Lindholm and Vatanen as it stands now. Cogliano must be protected as he has a NTC. Same for Getzlaf, Perry and Kesler. The last two forwards will probably be Silfverberg and any LW they can pick up in a trade or Wagner. Pretty much nobody significant will be exposed. Looking like Despres, Fowler and Manson, two of which would be exposed anyway under your scenario (along with Rakell and Silfverberg which is crazy talk).
- sniper11

I think only NMC players must be protected. Cogs has a NTC, which isn't protected. "Think" being the operative word there.

No I agree, all I'm asking is you express it differently not piggy back my comment out of context. I value your opinion & it's a valid & as meaningful as my own & I respect it.

Just start it differently essentially saying what you said in your 1st rebuttal. I can't or don't want to look at it today but I do know that come the expansion draft Rackell will be protected.

I agree with you. Your well written, your deductive reasoning skills are sound & your not being rude like many of the kids that post all over this site but not this particular thread who get so far off topic it's insane.

I want to discuss hockey to deteriorate into some meaningless dribble that has absolutely nothing to do with hockey or the subject matter of the thread. The reason I discuss & debate these merits else where primarily.

I read Ed. I like his view point. I don't always agree but he's well informed, writes well & has a solid view point.

I think only NMC players must be protected. Cogs has a NTC, which isn't protected. "Think" being the operative word there.
- quackup

You could be right. I havent looked at the rules in awhile.

I have more of a question than a comment. I believe Rangers are looking to move Nash. I think he'd be a perfect fit for Ducks and Fowler would help with loss of Yandle in NY... If Rangers retained salary, say 2 million for arguments sake, would that 2 million count against their cap space or would they get his whole salary wiped from cap payroll?

Like dozerD10 just posted. It's rude, inflamatory, stupid & lends to his degree of intelligence.

Why comment that way. That's not what I said. What I said is based on today. I can assure you if the expansion draft were happening tomorrow & it's not. That Rackell & Despres would be exposed. I know it's not but that's what I said based on today.

I can only assume & now I am going to be rude that Dozer isn't very bright & is incredibly immature & is probably about 12 years old maybe, 13 as obviously he can't even read yet or follow the thread.

Anyway as I stated why I don't post here regularly. It's not worth the time & effort. To many idiots & morons & I have a saying. I'm not prejudice, I hate everyone equally especially idiots & morons.

Only players with NMC's have to be protected. Players with NTC's can be exposed. The NHL & NHLPA negotiated this settlement. Legally under the CBA NMC's were in a very grey area as it din't include expansion but all other forms on player movement. An error on the part of the NHLPA when negotiating the last CBA in 2012-13.

The NHL conceded the issue as the NHLPA would have forced this issue to arbitration & with held their support of expansion so the NHL & NHLPA came to a negotiated agreement. NMC are required to be protected & MTC's are not.

Like dozerD10 just posted. It's rude, inflamatory, stupid & lends to his degree of intelligence.

Why comment that way. That's not what I said. What I said is based on today. I can assure you if the expansion draft were happening tomorrow & it's not. That Rackell & Despres would be exposed. I know it's not but that's what I said based on today.

I can only assume & now I am going to be rude that Dozer isn't very bright & is incredibly immature & is probably about 12 years old maybe, 13 as obviously he can't even read yet or follow the thread.

Anyway as I stated why I don't post here regularly. It's not worth the time & effort. To many idiots & morons & I have a saying. I'm not prejudice, I hate everyone equally especially idiots & morons.
- striker777

I totally disagree. If the expansion draft were tomorrow, the Ducks would protect Rakell at the expense of Fowler, Despres, and Manson. Its an easy decision. Rakell is key to their center depth. With the prospects, they have enough defensive depth for two teams. Losing one will not hurt a single bit. They cannot currently replace Rakell with someone in house.

I have more of a question than a comment. I believe Rangers are looking to move Nash. I think he'd be a perfect fit for Ducks and Fowler would help with loss of Yandle in NY... If Rangers retained salary, say 2 million for arguments sake, would that 2 million count against their cap space or would they get his whole salary wiped from cap payroll?
- junaka3

the $2 million would count against the Rangers cap and the Ducks would take on the remainder of Nash's cap hit.

Like dozerD10 just posted. It's rude, inflamatory, stupid & lends to his degree of intelligence.

Why comment that way. That's not what I said. What I said is based on today. I can assure you if the expansion draft were happening tomorrow & it's not. That Rackell & Despres would be exposed. I know it's not but that's what I said based on today.

I can only assume & now I am going to be rude that Dozer isn't very bright & is incredibly immature & is probably about 12 years old maybe, 13 as obviously he can't even read yet or follow the thread.

Anyway as I stated why I don't post here regularly. It's not worth the time & effort. To many idiots & morons & I have a saying. I'm not prejudice, I hate everyone equally especially idiots & morons.
- striker777

I didn't mean to offend. If I did, I apologize. But as Sniper pointed out, Rakell would be protected even if the draft were held tomorrow. It's based on the teams strengths and weaknesses. Sniper said it best.

the $2 million would count against the Rangers cap and the Ducks would take on the remainder of Nash's cap hit.
- sniper11

Thanks... Looked at Torontos cap payroll and saw Kessels retained salary on there. I'm guessing that's why Nash hasn't been moved yet. Honestly think until they do something with Staal or Girardi they're not looking to bring in another d man

Like dozerD10 just posted. It's rude, inflamatory, stupid & lends to his degree of intelligence.

Why comment that way. That's not what I said. What I said is based on today. I can assure you if the expansion draft were happening tomorrow & it's not. That Rackell & Despres would be exposed. I know it's not but that's what I said based on today.

I can only assume & now I am going to be rude that Dozer isn't very bright & is incredibly immature & is probably about 12 years old maybe, 13 as obviously he can't even read yet or follow the thread.

Anyway as I stated why I don't post here regularly. It's not worth the time & effort. To many idiots & morons & I have a saying. I'm not prejudice, I hate everyone equally especially idiots & morons.
- striker777

I'd complain ... But that's the nicest thing said about me in years - thank you