The trade deadline is creeping up. What will the Ducks do? The first step is to analyze their needs by position.
Center – Stand
The one area where the Ducks have been solid all season is down the middle. There aren't many 1-2 combinations than Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler. Rickard Rakell has come on recently securing his slot on the bottom six and second power play units. Nate Thompson has been good on the penalty kill. Many teams would love to have him as a third or fourth line center. In case of injury, William Karlsson on Devante Smith-Pelly would fill in.
Left Wing – Buy
A left wing is needed. Patrick Maroon and Rene Bourque have alternated between the first and fourth lines. It doesn't take much to play on a line with Getzlaf and Corey Perry, but a contribution is still necessary; neither has done much of late. To compound matters, Matt Beleskey is out for a few weeks with an injury and that affects the second line as well. Andrew Cogliano has been a solid contributor on line three, he will probably move up a line until Berkeley returns.
A confident Devante Smith-Pelly could do plenty here, but he hasn't played up to expectations either. After a defense man, this is the biggest area of need. Of the players “available,… Ryan Reilly would be a great fit as would Curtis Glencross. With a little financial help, Jeffrey Lupul could be a dark horse.
Right Wing – Stand
This is a solid unit. Corey Perry has been a one man gang at times this season. Once, he returned from an early season injury, Kyle Palmieri has been a pleasant surprise. Jacob Silfverberg isn't the player he was traded for (Bobby Ryan), but he is very good in his role on the third line. Tim Jackman was rewarded for his high effort, blue collar style with a contract extension yesterday, he alternates with DSP on the fourth line.
Defense – Buy
Earlier today, Eklund reported the Ducks are shopping for a defenseman. They should be! Sami Vatanen’s injury is a big blow to the power play. Before the injury, I wrote a blog about Anaheim need for a defenseman on the second pair. http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=66227&blogger_id=210 Vatanen may not be back until the playoffs, so more than one defenseman may be needed. With several good defense prospects on the horizon, a rental or two is what General Manager Bob Murray should be shopping for.
Of the players in Ek's report, Zbynek Michalek initially perplexed me, After dwelling on it further, he might be the kind of player that allows Hampus Lindholm to loosen up a bit and jump into the play more. I like Kimo Timonen, even at 80 - 85% of his usual. Mark Zydlicki is another veteran that would work. Like Timonen, Zydlicki can run a power play. Andej Sekera has been mentioned in many rumors. He isn't worth the bidding war the Duck's would enter to get him.
Goalie – Buy, Stand & Sell
Pretty non-committal, but Frederik Andersen's injury clouds the issue. Assuming Andersen isn't out too long; his backup is the area of concern. Ilya Bryzgalov is not that guy. John Gibson, who could be that guy, hasn't shown the form he had during his first stint in Anaheim. There are reliable goalies that could fit the bill and won't cost an arm and leg. Niklas Backstrom or Victor Fasth are the front runners.
In the sell category, Jason LaBarbera could yield a decent return. The Rangers and Bruins are two teams that have learned recently an experienced third goalie is a good thing.
Ducks at Flames
Anaheim enters the contest on their biggest downturn of the season, dropping five of their last six games. The team is beat up and the players who are in the lineup haven't showed much, if any, of the dominance and resiliency they had early in the year. Coach Boudreau gave his lines a major shakeup in practice yesterday. Additionally, Lindholm is a game time decision on defense, so the pairings are fluid. John Gibson was first off the ice today, he is the likely starter. Here is the expected lineup:
Forwards Maroon-Getzlaf-Palmieri DSP-Kesler-Perry Cogliano-Rakell-Silfverberg Bourque-Thompson-Jackman
Defensemen Fowler-Lovejoy Beauchemin-Lindholm/Brewer Stoner-Brewer/Manson
Goalies Gibson Bryzgalov