Ed Stein: Ducks Deadline Month Reader Poll

1) How long does the championship window stay open for Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Ryan Kesler? 2 years

2) Over half a season is in the books, so far how do you rate Randy Carlyle's return to the head coaching job? 2 early to tell

3) If the Ducks make a big trade near the deadline, it will involve a key defenseman. Who would you rather trade Sami Vatanen or Cam Fowler? Sami

4) What Ducks player has been your most pleasant surprise this season? 33

5) What Ducks player has been your biggest disappointment this season? 10

Bonus) You be the GM. What realistic trade would you make to make this team better? DUCHENE

Ed

1) How long does the championship window stay open for Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Ryan Kesler? 2 years

2) Over half a season is in the books, so far how do you rate Randy Carlyle's return to the head coaching job? 2 early to tell

3) If the Ducks make a big trade near the deadline, it will involve a key defenseman. Who would you rather trade Sami Vatanen or Cam Fowler? Sami

4) What Ducks player has been your most pleasant surprise this season? 33

5) What Ducks player has been your biggest disappointment this season? 10

Bonus) You be the GM. What realistic trade would you make to make this team better? DUCHENE


- rubberduckies

You have good takes on the issues, can you expand a little on some of your answers?

How long does the championship window stay open for Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Ryan Kesler?
Depends on the surrounding cast . They can't do it alone . I'm assuming the same players around then 3 years .

2) Over half a season is in the books, so far how do you rate Randy Carlyle's return to the head coaching job? Hes done a good job . He's not like brudroce. Carlyle doesn't care as much about the regular season . He's tring to get he team ready for the playoffs . But if he losses in the playoffs then i'd say bad .

3) If the Ducks make a big trade near the deadline, it will involve a key defenseman. Who would you rather trade Sami Vatanen or Cam Fowler? Sami vatanen . I'd rather keep the defense in tact as much as possible.
4) What Ducks player has been your most pleasant surprise this season? Kase . His skating abilty is really keeping him in the lineup .

5) What Ducks player has been your biggest disappointment this season? Lindholm . His defense has been stellar as usual . But his offense has degressed . But I'm only saying him because I've set the bar really high for him . I expected a allstar caliber year from him . And if he doesn't take the next step i don't think we will when the stanley cup

1) How long does the championship window stay open for Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Ryan Kesler? With them as the core of the team, 2 or 3 years. But, with the young defense the team has, that window could stay open longer, but not because of these three.

2) Over half a season is in the books, so far how do you rate Randy Carlyle's return to the head coaching job? He's been fine. Nothing terrible and nothing spectacular. I think he's done a very good job of getting the young players involved and getting them experience, especially some of the forwards (Cramarossa, Kase, Shaw).

3) If the Ducks make a big trade near the deadline, it will involve a key defenseman. Who would you rather trade Sami Vatanen or Cam Fowler? Sami Vatanen, no question. I would have traded him over the summer, but I would have been okay trading Fowler then. However, Fowler's play this year has made him untouchable during the season.

4) What Ducks player has been your most pleasant surprise this season? Ondrej Kase. I was hoping he'd have a strong year in SD, so him spending most of the season in Anaheim has been a nice surprise.

5) What Ducks player has been your biggest disappointment this season? Corey Perry. Some nights he's been unlucky and snakebit, some nights he's just been bad. Perry just hasn't been Perry this year.

Bonus) You be the GM. What realistic trade would you make to make this team better? If the cap can be made to work, Vatanen, a conditional 1st round pick, and one or two of Sorensen/Nattinen/Roy for Duchene. The conditions on the pick are the Ducks make the Conference Finals and/or Duchene gets a certain number of points in the playoffs. That gives the Avs a first or second round pick, a good young dman signed for the next few years at a reasonable price, and a good forward prospect or two. It gives the Ducks more offensive punch in their top 6, and protects their 1st round pick so it's only dealt if the Ducks get far enough or Duchene fits in well enough

Could we talk you into Theodore instead of Vatanen or Fowler? Kane and prospects.

Kings fan here. But I feel like I can be objective enough to take a shot at this:

1. The class of 2003 is now 32 years old. Perry and Getzlaf can probably carry the scoring on the team for another 2-3 seasons. After that, they will need to be replaced by a new core if the Ducks are realistically expected to remain a contender. The Sharks are a good example. Couture and Pavelski are the new offensive core of this team. Marleau and Thornton are supplemental players on the new Sharks. The Ducks have a good supporting cast in place, but they don't really have anyone that can take over for the twins once they reach their late 30s.

2. It's too early to tell Carlyle's impact on this team. The Ducks have always been a strong regular season team. The problem under Boudreau was the inability to win the big game. Once the Ducks play a series clinching game or two this postseason, we will see if the Ducks postseason woes were the coach's fault.

3. Cam Fowler. The Ducks already have their star two-way defenseman in Hampus Lindholm. They need to have an offense first defenseman as well. That is Vatanen. Fowler is a solid all around defenseman, but he's not as good all around as Lindholm and he's not as much of a scoring that as Vatanen. If the Ducks are to trade a defenseman, it should be Fowler.

4. Rickard Rakell. I've been watching this kid play against the Kings for the past few seasons. He struck me as a solid bottom-six forward, but I didn't expect him to be the scoring threat that he has been this season. I expected Silfverburg to be the Ducks next 30+ goal scorer, not Rakell. He's a steal at only $3.75M.

5. Jonathan Bernier. Bernier showed what he could do when he played behind a quality defensive team when he backed up Quick in LA in 2011-12 and 2012-13. He got thrown to the wolves in Toronto by playing behind a team that wouldn't know defense if it slapped them in the face. I half expected Bernier to come in and steal the starting job from Gibson. He has been mediocre at best, with a handful of terrible showings this season. I expected more from him.

6. There's two things that this team can do to solidify themselves as a Stanley Cup favorite. Acquire a consider bona-fide #1 defenseman and get a top line scoring threat.

OEL from Arizona is the obvious choice for a defenseman, since he's getting old enough to the point where he won't be able to provide many years of effectiveness to the Coyotes by the time they are ready to compete. It would be an expensive undertaking, but offering up some of the players that might be left unprotected along with a blue-chip prospect and a draft pick would be a basis to build on.

As other posters have said, Duchene is the obvious choice to improve the offense. Cam Fowler, one of Theodore/Montour, and a 1st round pick would likely get it done. Throw in another pick and you could likely pick up Iginla as a rental as well.

1) How long does the championship window stay open for Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Ryan Kesler?
A - As long as the D and goaltending hold up -

2) Over half a season is in the books, so far how do you rate Randy Carlyle's return to the head coaching job?
B+ He has made adjustments and dealt with a non goal scoring winger who is as of right now vastly overpaid - looking at you CP / also has integrated a ton of youth into a revolving lineup -

3) If the Ducks make a big trade near the deadline, it will involve a key defenseman. Who would you rather trade Sami Vatanen or Cam Fowler?

Sami brings the most back - RHS - cost controlled / reasonable salary - offensive upside /

4) What Ducks player has been your most pleasant surprise this season?
NR - great offseason workout - really developing into a power forward who is going to be a beast for the next decade -

5) What Ducks player has been your biggest disappointment this season?
Come on - this is as obvious as the Sun - CP by a country mile -

Bonus) You be the GM. What realistic trade would you make to make this team better?

Sami / Stoner / Pick or prospect for a scoring LW + from either Tampa / Rangers / Toronto or Det - teams in order of trade preference -

Kings fan here. But I feel like I can be objective enough to take a shot at this:

1. The class of 2003 is now 32 years old. Perry and Getzlaf can probably carry the scoring on the team for another 2-3 seasons. After that, they will need to be replaced by a new core if the Ducks are realistically expected to remain a contender. The Sharks are a good example. Couture and Pavelski are the new offensive core of this team. Marleau and Thornton are supplemental players on the new Sharks. The Ducks have a good supporting cast in place, but they don't really have anyone that can take over for the twins once they reach their late 30s.

2. It's too early to tell Carlyle's impact on this team. The Ducks have always been a strong regular season team. The problem under Boudreau was the inability to win the big game. Once the Ducks play a series clinching game or two this postseason, we will see if the Ducks postseason woes were the coach's fault.

3. Cam Fowler. The Ducks already have their star two-way defenseman in Hampus Lindholm. They need to have an offense first defenseman as well. That is Vatanen. Fowler is a solid all around defenseman, but he's not as good all around as Lindholm and he's not as much of a scoring that as Vatanen. If the Ducks are to trade a defenseman, it should be Fowler.

4. Rickard Rakell. I've been watching this kid play against the Kings for the past few seasons. He struck me as a solid bottom-six forward, but I didn't expect him to be the scoring threat that he has been this season. I expected Silfverburg to be the Ducks next 30+ goal scorer, not Rakell. He's a steal at only $3.75M.

5. Jonathan Bernier. Bernier showed what he could do when he played behind a quality defensive team when he backed up Quick in LA in 2011-12 and 2012-13. He got thrown to the wolves in Toronto by playing behind a team that wouldn't know defense if it slapped them in the face. I half expected Bernier to come in and steal the starting job from Gibson. He has been mediocre at best, with a handful of terrible showings this season. I expected more from him.

6. There's two things that this team can do to solidify themselves as a Stanley Cup favorite. Acquire a consider bona-fide #1 defenseman and get a top line scoring threat.

OEL from Arizona is the obvious choice for a defenseman, since he's getting old enough to the point where he won't be able to provide many years of effectiveness to the Coyotes by the time they are ready to compete. It would be an expensive undertaking, but offering up some of the players that might be left unprotected along with a blue-chip prospect and a draft pick would be a basis to build on.

As other posters have said, Duchene is the obvious choice to improve the offense. Cam Fowler, one of Theodore/Montour, and a 1st round pick would likely get it done. Throw in another pick and you could likely pick up Iginla as a rental as well.
- tkecanuck341

All very spot on, except for calling bernier the biggest dissapointment (c'mon perry).
Are the ducks a side team of yours? I've never seen a ducks or kings fan be civil about each others teams

All very spot on, except for calling bernier the biggest dissapointment (c'mon perry).
Are the ducks a side team of yours? I've never seen a ducks or kings fan be civil about each others teams
- Johnotron

He's trying. I giving him credit for a constructive, non-confrontational post. Good Job tkecanuck341

1) How long does the championship window stay open for Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Ryan Kesler?

Fortunately, this management group has planned around this, and has heavily invested in drafting and developing smart, determined, puck-moving defenders. Fowler, Lindholm, Vatanen, Manson, Theodore, Larsson, Montour are the primary examples. Also, Despres, Shultz, Sbisa and Gardiner could be thrown in there as well. What I’m getting at is Bob Murray knew he had the coveted top line, and has invested significant resources into complementing that strength. As this crop of prospects flourishes into All-Stars and top tier core players, we’re now seeing them revert to offense with picks like Ritchie, Steel and Jones. Given where the wheel is, and how things have panned out; I think it’s safe to say that this team will be an upper echelon playoff team throughout the duration of the Perry and Getzlaf contracts.

2) Over half a season is in the books, so far how do you rate Randy Carlyle's return to the head coaching job?

I think Carlyle has done great. He is not about the regular season. He is still holding a lot of cards, which’ll be played in the coming months to really start to light the fire. I don’t doubt he could crack some skulls, hoot and holler in order to bang out a 5 game win streak. Where would that get them? 1st in the Pacific?

This team is headed to the playoffs, and they’ve yet to play their best hockey. Sounds good to me.

3) If the Ducks make a big trade near the deadline, it will involve a key defenseman. Who would you rather trade Sami Vatanen or Cam Fowler?

Sorry for the unpopular opinion, but neither is going anywhere.

4) What Ducks player has been your most pleasant surprise this season?

I’ve been really proud of Silfverberg. He is as tenacious as it gets with those puck battles. He finds a way to get the job done in the offensive zone. The guy harrasses the opposition relentlessly and doesn’t take egregiously stupid minor penalties.

Also, good on Gibson for turning the ship around.

5) What Ducks player has been your biggest disappointment this season?

What’s irked me about Perry’s game is he’s always deferring to pass. If this team is going to have post season success. Anaheim needs a #10 that gets the puck on his stick, makes a deek, creates time and space and then does what he does. I haven’t seen that.

I was on the tear a couple months ago in Hearthstone. High Legend play. Heck, I even eclipsed top 200 Legend. When I play HS, or any game for that matter, I ask myself one question, “What’ll cause the absolute most ...?” The way I see it, #10 has been way too easy to play against.

Bonus) You be the GM. What realistic trade would you make to make this team better?

Truth be told, I only follow Anaheim, but a Brad May type to help bolster the bottom six would be my only recommendation. Again, boring and unpopular.

All very spot on, except for calling bernier the biggest dissapointment (c'mon perry).
Are the ducks a side team of yours? I've never seen a ducks or kings fan be civil about each others teams
- Johnotron

I had high expectations for Bernier, maybe unrealistically so. Therefore he's a bigger disappointment for me. Perry's 36 points is nothing to laugh at. It's more than Kopitar has and would be good for 2nd in points on the Kings.

I had high expectations for Bernier, maybe unrealistically so. Therefore he's a bigger disappointment for me. Perry's 36 points is nothing to laugh at. It's more than Kopitar has and would be good for 2nd in points on the Kings.
- tkecanuck341

At least your original . Ill give you points for that.

I had high expectations for Bernier, maybe unrealistically so. Therefore he's a bigger disappointment for me. Perry's 36 points is nothing to laugh at. It's more than Kopitar has and would be good for 2nd in points on the Kings.
- tkecanuck341

For a guy with such outstanding talent, Bernier continues to mystify me.

1. 2-3 years, depending on how well the younguns come along; how good of trades are made, and whether the old guys can transition into a lesser role with new star players, or whether they're still expected to do the heavy lifting beyond when they should.

2. Carlyle's success or failure will be determined by playoff success or failure.

3. Whichever one brings a return that makes the team better overall. If you trade the one you "want" to trade, you get the return other teams "want" to give.

4. Kesler.

5. Perry.

6. Off the top of my head, 2 defencemen(a good one and a cap dump) for Landeskog or Duchene; depending on whether you want to build a 2nd scoring line around Rakell being a center or winger, or leave him with Perry & Getzlaf and start a whole new scoring line, or put Kesler on it in a more offensive role. So many considerations.

He's trying. I giving him credit for a constructive, non-confrontational post. Good Job tkecanuck341
- Ed Stein

Thanks. I hate the Ducks as much as the next Kings fan, but I consider myself a hockey fan first, a Kings fan second. I can recognize a good hockey club when I see one.

I had high expectations for Bernier, maybe unrealistically so. Therefore he's a bigger disappointment for me. Perry's 36 points is nothing to laugh at. It's more than Kopitar has and would be good for 2nd in points on the Kings.
- tkecanuck341

Perry is a goal scorer..he goes to the front of the net

1) How long does the championship window stay open for Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Ryan Kesler?If this question was just about the two Ryan's I'd be pretty gererous and say 3 to 4. Because Perry is included and his production has dropped dramatically I'd say 2 max.

2) Over half a season is in the books, so far how do you rate Randy Carlyle's return to the head coaching job? He's done OK, this is NOT the old Randy Carlyle, though. If the kids are good enough to play, he plays them. I was told also that he was the only one who wanted to keep Jacob Larsson on the team. Old Randy had no time or patience for rookies, even Getzlaf and Perry who he kept sending down despite the fact they were showing real promise.

3) If the Ducks make a big trade near the deadline, it will involve a key defenseman. Who would you rather trade Sami Vatanen or Cam Fowler? This question is laughable, Ed. I realize he has more trade value but if Fowler goes, Murray is writing off this season. Cam has EASILY been the Ducks best defenseman this year. Sami should be traded east where he will thrive in a conference that emphasizes skating over physicality. Whether he alone is enough to land a scoring wing is unknown.

4) What Ducks player has been your most pleasant surprise this season? Easily the emergence of Jakob Silfverberg. He is still great defensively and has discovered his scoring ability.

5) What Ducks player has been your biggest disappointment this season? What a softball. If anyone answering this says anybody but Corey Perry I'm calling into question your sanity. Yeah, Perry has a decent amount of assists but the Ducks are already paying someone a lot of money to dish out apples. The fact that Cam Fowler, Nick Ritchie, and Andrew Cogliano have scored more goals than him is embarrassing. I'm praying that he's having trouble adjusting to married life, similar to the struggles Getzlaf went through several years ago. If not, then Anaheim is in a heap of cap trouble.

Bonus) You be the GM. What realistic trade would you make to make this team better? I'd look at 2 teams that have a lot of offensive talent and need defensive help badly. The obvious choice is Toronto and JVR for Vatanen plus a third might work. Hell, I'd even toss in a second, seeing as the draft is weak this year. The other team they might be able to do something with is Tampa Bay. this would be fantasy trade, Jonathan Drouin for Sami plus a pick. With this move the Ducks get offensive help AND cap relief, which probably means it'll never happen.

1) How long does the championship window stay open for Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Ryan Kesler?If this question was just about the two Ryan's I'd be pretty gererous and say 3 to 4. Because Perry is included and his production has dropped dramatically I'd say 2 max.

2) Over half a season is in the books, so far how do you rate Randy Carlyle's return to the head coaching job? He's done OK, this is NOT the old Randy Carlyle, though. If the kids are good enough to play, he plays them. I was told also that he was the only one who wanted to keep Jacob Larsson on the team. Old Randy had no time or patience for rookies, even Getzlaf and Perry who he kept sending down despite the fact they were showing real promise.

3) If the Ducks make a big trade near the deadline, it will involve a key defenseman. Who would you rather trade Sami Vatanen or Cam Fowler? This question is laughable, Ed. I realize he has more trade value but if Fowler goes, Murray is writing off this season. Cam has EASILY been the Ducks best defenseman this year. Sami should be traded east where he will thrive in a conference that emphasizes skating over physicality. Whether he alone is enough to land a scoring wing is unknown.

4) What Ducks player has been your most pleasant surprise this season? Easily the emergence of Jakob Silfverberg. He is still great defensively and has discovered his scoring ability.

5) What Ducks player has been your biggest disappointment this season? What a softball. If anyone answering this says anybody but Corey Perry I'm calling into question your sanity. Yeah, Perry has a decent amount of assists but the Ducks are already paying someone a lot of money to dish out apples. The fact that Cam Fowler, Nick Ritchie, and Andrew Cogliano have scored more goals than him is embarrassing. I'm praying that he's having trouble adjusting to married life, similar to the struggles Getzlaf went through several years ago. If not, then Anaheim is in a heap of cap trouble.

Bonus) You be the GM. What realistic trade would you make to make this team better? I'd look at 2 teams that have a lot of offensive talent and need defensive help badly. The obvious choice is Toronto and JVR for Vatanen plus a third might work. Hell, I'd even toss in a second, seeing as the draft is weak this year. The other team they might be able to do something with is Tampa Bay. this would be fantasy trade, Jonathan Drouin for Sami plus a pick. With this move the Ducks get offensive help AND cap relief, which probably means it'll never happen.
- duxcup07

Hey . My sanity has nothing to do with it . Hampus lindolm has 9 points . 3 more than kevin bieska . Plus lindholm is making the big bucks now just like perry . So any harsh standard pointed towards perry should also apply to lindholm

The other team they might be able to do something with is Tampa Bay. this would be fantasy trade, Jonathan Drouin for Sami plus a pick. With this move the Ducks get offensive help AND cap relief, which probably means it'll never happen.

As you said, it's not going to happen. Drouin is a piece for the future and set up to be Stammer's set up man for a long time. We have other offensive talent that we'd want to move before the expansion draft though. Tyler Johnson will be an RFA and we may look to move him, any chance your Ducks would be interested? If not what about a deal for someone younger, say Namestnikov?

Bryzgalov > Bernier

Hey . My sanity has nothing to do with it . Hampus lindolm has 9 points . 3 more than kevin bieska . Plus lindholm is making the big bucks now just like perry . So any harsh standard pointed towards perry should also apply to lindholm
- Eman87654

But they're not paying Hampus to score goals. His SS% and SA% are the best for defenseman on Anaheim.

Bryzgalov > Bernier
- Byfuglien Ate Me

He's back! How about answering some of the questions?

1) How long does the championship window stay open for Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Ryan Kesler?

2-3 years. Possibly more if the D continues to improve and some of the kids on wing (Rakell, Silf, Ritchie, etc.) continue to improve as well. With the dismal year #10 is having, I have to think he'll rebound also. I think the rate Getz and Kes decline will also be a huge factor going forward.

2) Over half a season is in the books, so far how do you rate Randy Carlyle's return to the head coaching job?

I'll get back to you after the playoffs on this one. I expected the Ducks to make the playoffs regardless of who their coach was. That's really all that matters.

3) If the Ducks make a big trade near the deadline, it will involve a key defenseman. Who would you rather trade Sami Vatanen or Cam Fowler?

At this point, Vatanen. Much will depend on what type of $ Fowler is looking for after next year. Murray knows if Fowler's willing to take a "home town discount" or not. Moves going forward aren't in a vacuum.

4) What Ducks player has been your most pleasant surprise this season?

Rakell. Not that I didn't think he had the potential, I just didn't think after his surgery and concurrent contract issues, he'd come back as dominant as he did.

5) What Ducks player has been your biggest disappointment this season?

#10 only because he's paid to score goals, and his goal total right now is abysmal.

Bonus) You be the GM. What realistic trade would you make to make this team better?

That's why I'm not a GM. I really don't know what's "realistic". I would love Duchene, but I'm not really willing to mortgage the future to get him. Vats, and a 1st, or Vats and one of Theodore or Montour might do it for me. The issue for me is his salary ($6M), which I don't think we can afford. Someone from Detroit (Tatar) might be more realistic.

I hate that saying . " paying players to do " . It lacks full comprehensive understanding of the team concept . I beleave in truth we pay players to be the best they can be . Weather they score goals , assist , hits , blocked shots , saves , ect is a measurement of how well they are doing . And yes points are very basic and don't tell the whole story . But it is a very reliable stat when used correctly. Which is to say I'm not compaing lindholm to perry . That would be dumb . Im comparing this years lindholm with 9 points to last years lindholm who had 29 points ..