Three weeks until the trade deadline. The Ducks three biggest needs are a top 2/4 defenseman, backup goalie and first line left wing. Judging by your comments, the biggest need is a defenseman.
The best way to start analyzing defensive needs are to look at the roles of the current players should be and see where the holes are from there.
Let's start easy. Eric Brewer and Francois Beauchemin are unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. Brewer is the sixth/seventh defenseman this year and if Beauchemin resigns (that's a big IF) for another year, he will probably be in that role for 2015-16 . The point is, going forward neither is a prime time player for the team.
Hampus Lindholm is the Ducks all around defenseman, no argument. One underrated aspect of his game is offense. The reason Lindholm doesn't have more points, is that he isn't asked to play a more of a scoring role. Make no mistake, he can handle and move the puck about as well as anyone on this team with the possible exception of Sami Vatanen. He should get the most playing time and be on the ice in most situations.
If Lindholm is the bell cow, he should be on the top pairing with either Sami Vatanen or Cam Fowler. Although Lindholm is good enough to cover a multitude of sins his partner may commit, Vatanen isn't good enough defensively at this point in his career to warrant the amount of playing time a first pair role would yield. He should however play on the second pairing at even strength; and quarterback the power play. I think there will be a time in the next year or two the Vatanen will move up to a featured role.
That leaves Fowler as Lindholm's partner on the top set. Fowler can move the puck and generate offense. With a more agile partner, he can be free to roam a little more than he currently does. Many of you will say Fowler isn't a top two guy. Generally, I agree with you, but here is the rub. Unless Fowler is dealt, he is either on the top pair or the third pair. No way do you team him with Vatanen on the second. Fowler is also too good to be on the bottom pair. I have no problem with trading him, but if he goes for another defenseman, the Ducks are still one man short.
I can live with Clayton Stoner in a third pairing role. He isn't on the team because he is the reincarnation of Rod Languay in his own end. There have been many times this season that I have had to remind my self to keep my expectations in check concerning Stoner. He is on the team because he is a physical presence on ice. That's good enough for 16ish minutes a night and a third line role.
Next up is Ben Lovejoy. Although he gets paired with Fowler, Lovejoy has averaged about 18 ½ minutes per nite in ice time. That is more like third pair minutes. If he gets third pair minutes, then play him in a third pair role with Stoner. Of all the blueliners on the team, the Canaan, New Hampshire native has the most trade value. What makes Lovejoy attractive to other teams is that he has a very reasonable contract at $1.1M per season for this one and next. From the Ducks perspective, if traded, Lovejoy can be replaced.
To recap, I have the following pairings: Lindholm-Fowler Vatanen-Beauchemin? Stoner-Lovejoy
Spare parts would be Brewer, Marc Fistric, Colby Robak and Josh Manson. Also keep in mind that there are also two blue chippers on the horizon; Shea Theodore and Marcus Pettersson.
Therefore the need seems to be a second pair player to compliment Vatanen. Judging by the market, there aren't very many top pair quality players on the market, that would be a big upgrade. Then reduce the number again because a team in the Western Conference isn't going to send a player of that caliber to a rival for anything short of a vital organ in return. It brings the conversation back to the second group.
Marc Staal would have been a good a fit, but he re-signed with the Rangers. The contingent from Toronto, Franson, Robidas and Gardner don't provide enough of an upgrade and I don't believe the Ducks are going to pick up the $7M per season for the next six to acquire Dion Phaneuf. No one on Carolina floats my boat. If Florida will kick in some money, Brian Campbell might work. The players from the east that I'd like to see the Ducks pick up is Ottawa's Marc Methot. From the west Zack Bogosian of Winnipeg is a really good fit as well.
Later this week I'll take a look at Anaheim's other positions of need.
The Ducks are in Tampa Bay tonight to take on another top tier opponent. #LGD
-Ed