Ed Stein: Bob Murray as Charlie Brown

Don't feel bad about missing out on Lucic - that guy is trash. Classless. Thug.

Backes is a great guy, but his production is on a downward slope. He is past his prime.

Anaheim has a great team and great fans. Things will get better.

Don't feel bad about missing out on Lucic - that guy is trash. Classless. Thug.

Backes is a great guy, but his production is on a downward slope. He is past his prime.

Anaheim has a great team and great fans. Things will get better.
- GalacticStone

Just used them as examples.

I'm ok with Bernier gives Ducks 2 goalies that can both play for about 5.4 mil which is less than most teams and certainly less the competitive ones are spending - Bernier's Leaf time was marked by a team that basically was an AHL squad - he just mailed it in on the nights I saw him play - hard to get fired up for a team that is basically playing out the string to stink -
Change of scenery will do wonders for him IMO -

the Other signings WTF -

Did Toronto retain some salary? $4.15 million?

I am really hoping that Lumpy is demanding big money (Ekblad money?) and that the Ducks deal him away. I would love to see him on a squad where they give him some offensive zone starts and real PP time.

Did Toronto retain some salary? $4.15 million?
- ducks31

They just paid a 2 million dollar bonus he was due on July 1st. The ducks keep the cap hit, but only owe him the 2.15 mil in actual money.

Anaheim forward group looks like:

LW - Getzlaf - Perry
Cogliano - Kesler - Silfverberg
Raymond - Rakell - Garbutt
Ritchie - Wagner - Boll

Nate Thompson's on IR.

Possible pospects that could fill in as a spot on the wing are Stefan Noesen or Max Jones. Unlikely the latter out of camp, but who knows?

At this point the defense is set, goaltending is set and depth is set. I think Bob isn't pulling the trigger on a top 6 winger right now because the team has underperformed when they need to play their best the past few seasons. With a new coach and a leaner roster, it's one of those "let's see were we're at in November" deals.

There are a lot of strengths on this team, and 7 legitimate defensemen is one of them. Shea Theodore is NHL caliber, but the depth is already there. Obviously, the dots to be connected is a Ducks defenseman for a left wing. However, if we see anything, it'll be once the season is under way.

Make no mistake, this team has underperformed when they need to be their absolute best. They get all caught up in the heat, and play down to the opposition's level. Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago and now Nashville. The starstruck pety barking doesn't correlate to execution.

The only news I anticipate seeing until training camp is the resigning of Rickard Rakell and Hampus Lindholm. There is 9.1 mil in cap space. I see Hampus getting a 6 year deal. Maybe we'll see a 5 year deal for Rakell.

The thing that bothers me about the Bernier trade is the cap hit. Unless there is a dramatic change in the way the Ducks conduct business they are getting near their internal budget without Lindholm and Rackell being signed. Hampus probably will get something similar to what Seth Jones got. Rickard will probably get about $3 mil a year and now the cap cushion is pretty much gone. I'm assuming this means Fowler gets traded for picks or prospects and not the LW this team really needs.

The thing that bothers me about the Bernier trade is the cap hit. Unless there is a dramatic change in the way the Ducks conduct business they are getting near their internal budget without Lindholm and Rackell being signed. Hampus probably will get something similar to what Seth Jones got. Rickard will probably get about $3 mil a year and now the cap cushion is pretty much gone. I'm assuming this means Fowler gets traded for picks or prospects and not the LW this team really needs.
- duxcup07

Murray may have to play hard ball with Rakell now. He doesn't have arbitration rights and has to take whatever he is given, pretty much.

If you sign Lindholm to his 5ish mill, long term. That gives you 3m left on the cap. That's where he turns to Rakell and says, all we can do is one or two years at 2m AAV. He doesn't really have a choice. He takes that or he holds out and sits at home not playing hockey

That leaves you with a little wiggle room to turn Fowler's 4m into a 5m winger. I thought the Bernier pick-up was solid for you guys but didn't realize that it made you that tight

The thing that bothers me about the Bernier trade is the cap hit. Unless there is a dramatic change in the way the Ducks conduct business they are getting near their internal budget without Lindholm and Rackell being signed. Hampus probably will get something similar to what Seth Jones got. Rickard will probably get about $3 mil a year and now the cap cushion is pretty much gone. I'm assuming this means Fowler gets traded for picks or prospects and not the LW this team really needs.
- duxcup07

Carlyle will be coaching this season. Who cares who the Ducks have on the ice? This season will be all about positioning for the future. And I will have a nice selection of better seats to choose from for my season seats next year, just like the last time Randy took us nowhere. Luckily I'm in row A right now, so no one but the people next to me have to listen to me whine and complain about how stupid Carlyle is all season. See? I can be positive.

I am hearing that Lumpy wants big money....that's why the deal isn't done yet. $6.875 per for 7 years and wants to be guaranteed more time on the PP.

I am hearing that Lumpy wants big money....that's why the deal isn't done yet. $6.875 per for 7 years and wants to be guaranteed more time on the PP.
- Dollars2Donuts

Give Hampus 8 years @ $7 million per year and send Despres packing for a 6th rounder. Shea is ready to be a #6 if need be.

Give Hampus 8 years @ $7 million per year and send Despres packing for a 6th rounder. Shea is ready to be a #6 if need be.
- yzermaneely

NO WAY HE GETS THAT MONEY DESPRES IS A GOOD PLAYER AND WAY BETTER THAN A 6TH

[quote=t_leafs21]Murray may have to play hard ball with Rakell now. He doesn't have arbitration rights and has to take whatever he is given, pretty much.

If you sign Lindholm to his 5ish mill, long term. That gives you 3m left on the cap. /quote]

Don't forget Nate Thompson's money as he is now LTIR.

NO WAY HE GETS THAT MONEY DESPRES IS A GOOD PLAYER AND WAY BETTER THAN A 6TH
- rubberduckies

Did you watch that positionally challenged turnover machine play last season...on the rare occasion he was healthy? Get more than a 6th for him if you can. He's signed at $3.7 million per year until 2021. And if trading him allows the Ducks to sign Lindholm for 8 years, it should be done. Then his partner in on-ice crime, Cam Fowler, can be dealt for a decent left wing.

Sure, Thompson's salary won't count against the cap. but it will against the budget.

Half of Bernier's cap hit does not count against the budget. So that allows Murray to get $2mil closer to the cap than in years past. Also, I wonder how much of Thompson's contract is insured and whether or not Murray gets to play with any recouped money from that in terms of budget.

With respect to the Bernier portion of the blog, it seems extremely, extremely unlikely that he will play for Vegas next season. They will be forced to take 2 goalies in the draft and as he will be UFA, Vegas would stay away, while every other team that tried to prevent losing a goalie by having a weak backup this season will then be looking to strengthen the position. He is going to be in a very good position on July 1, 2017. Initially I was thinking it was smart cuz the Ducks could just extend him after the expansion draft, but I think many teams will offer him much more money.

Lindholm to Toronto for JVR (LW) and a 2nd in 2017! Maybe even throw in a prospect like Percy from Toronto and a 4th or something from Anaheim… would you guys do it?

Lindholm to Toronto for JVR (LW) and a 2nd in 2017! Maybe even throw in a prospect like Percy from Toronto and a 4th or something from Anaheim… would you guys do it?
- n8butts

No. Lindholm is going nowhere.

Lindholm to Toronto for JVR (LW) and a 2nd in 2017! Maybe even throw in a prospect like Percy from Toronto and a 4th or something from Anaheim… would you guys do it?
- n8butts

No way 47 goes for JVR - unless Murray has gone completely off the cliff -

Murray stated Rakell and Lindholm would be signed sometime in August or September. I was there when he said it (season ticket event). There's no rush now. Neither one is arbitration eligible, there's zero reason for their agents to play hardball.

As far as trades go, Ed, Krecji would be an absolutely disaster trade. It should never happen. The cap hit alone (7.25M/5yrs) handcuffs this team. Hoffman is RFA THIS year, so I don't see that happening either (unless sign and trade).

I think there's a trade on the table with Detroit (assuming Fowler is getting moved). If you look at their roster, it's flush with forwards and in desperate need of D. With budget concerns for both teams, I can see Tomas Tatar - LW (2.75M) and Andreas Athanasiou - C (628K) as the pieces Murray wants in return. Both players are RFA after this year, and Fowler would still have another year on his contract. Tatar at 25 and Athanasiou at 21 are pieces the Ducks can build around. I know Detroit fans would say no way it happens, but they're discounting how good Fowler is. Family moved to the area when Cam was a baby, so he's somewhat of a local boy too, growing up rooting for Detroit. It makes too much sense not to happen. As I said above, I think the trade is on the table. It's whether or not Holland makes it. imo

Murray stated Rakell and Lindholm would be signed sometime in August or September. I was there when he said it (season ticket event). There's no rush now. Neither one is arbitration eligible, there's zero reason for their agents to play hardball.

As far as trades go, Ed, Krecji would be an absolutely disaster trade. It should never happen. The cap hit alone (7.25M/5yrs) handcuffs this team. Hoffman is RFA THIS year, so I don't see that happening either (unless sign and trade).

I think there's a trade on the table with Detroit (assuming Fowler is getting moved). If you look at their roster, it's flush with forwards and in desperate need of D. With budget concerns for both teams, I can see Tomas Tatar - LW (2.75M) and Andreas Athanasiou - C (628K) as the pieces Murray wants in return. Both players are RFA after this year, and Fowler would still have another year on his contract. Tatar at 25 and Athanasiou at 21 are pieces the Ducks can build around. I know Detroit fans would say no way it happens, but they're discounting how good Fowler is. Family moved to the area when Cam was a baby, so he's somewhat of a local boy too, growing up rooting for Detroit. It makes too much sense not to happen. As I said above, I think the trade is on the table. It's whether or not Holland makes it. imo
- quackup

Not Krejci at that number and yrs left - that is a big No -
the Detroit trade is very doable I think Holland wants Shattenkirk as his first choice though and is willing to wait it out - not sure they part with
Athanasiou - Tatar would be a welcome addition for sure -
perhaps we could throw Despres in the deal and expand it to include another forward from Detroit we have the depth on D and wings have the forward depth - with pick thrown in also -

Not Krejci at that number and yrs left - that is a big No -
the Detroit trade is very doable I think Holland wants Shattenkirk as his first choice though and is willing to wait it out - not sure they part with
Athanasiou - Tatar would be a welcome addition for sure -
perhaps we could throw Despres in the deal and expand it to include another forward from Detroit we have the depth on D and wings have the forward depth - with pick thrown in also -
- dozerD10

Possible. But he's UFA after this year (so one less year on his contract than Fowler) which might handicap them in 2017.

Not so sure we could throw in Despres. Detroit doesn't have the cap space, and the Ducks have to be careful what comes back. Don't see Ducks trading Fowler and Despres though. Despres has health concerns too, but I'm sure Murray knows how he's feeling. Big question is whether or not the concussions will affect his play.

Possible. But he's UFA after this year (so one less year on his contract than Fowler) which might handicap them in 2017.

Not so sure we could throw in Despres. Detroit doesn't have the cap space, and the Ducks have to be careful what comes back. Don't see Ducks trading Fowler and Despres though. Despres has health concerns too, but I'm sure Murray knows how he's feeling. Big question is whether or not the concussions will affect his play.
- quackup

My feeling is that Ducks can trade from position of strength - Despres being the 2nd logical choice on the D front to go as I don't think anyone is taking Stoner or KB and I don't see Murray trading Shea or Brandon at this point - but one never knows - and Simon is not the fleetest of foot - so how do the partners shake out - I think 42/47 is a must -
then Vats and Stoner - but you can't have Simon and KB - that is way to slow on the back end - and Shea is going to be on this team this yr -

I have no issues with what Murray's done. As he hasn't really done anything yet.

I love the Bernier acquisition. He posted a .908 SV% playing for the worst team in the NHL. Gibson hasn't shown he can stay healthy yet nor fully carry the load. Bernier provides a great safety net & will be a much better goalie playing in Anaheim than he was in Toronto last season. Bernier's previous stats, 2 full seasons still playing for a brutal team in toronto were solid.

Anaheim is a serious cup contender based on the core, depth & strength of the players that are & have been Ducks for a few years or longer.

Tons of free agent options & Murray trades actively. Come October 12th Anaheim will have add a 1st or 2nd line LW. Ritchie played 33 games last season in a limited role. He will move into the #3 spot this season & will be Anaheim's #1 LW as soon as he's fully ready. Could come next year but realistically the year following.

Anaheim has several interesting under the radar prospects coming at forward. Kerdiles, Kossila, Sorenson & Noesen. The concern for me is Carlyle. He doesn't play young players.

TBD, Getzlaf, Perry.
Coglinao, Kesler, Silvferberg.
Ritchie, Rackell, TBD
Raymond, Wagner, Garbutt.
Spare. Boll.

Raymond & Garbutt will get opportunities in other roles as penalties, injuries, coaching tendencies dictate but both are suited more to 3rd & 4th line roles.

I have no issue with flushing out the depth positions as we all know Murray isn't buying top end UFA's.

Even if Anaheim trades Fowler or a different Dman or potentially not at all. This is 1 of the strongest D's in the NHL but if 1 is moved unless it's Bieksa the return is going to be substantial.