Anaheim Ducks Despres Set To Return Soon, Leaving The Ducks With A Roster Issue
The Anaheim Ducks have not had a healthy blue-line in quite some time but they hope to get Simon Despres back on Tuesday, presenting a tricky roster situation.
Today marks the 100th day since the Anaheim Ducks have had an entirely healthy defensive unit. 100 days ago, Simon Despres took a nasty hit to the head and has since been out with post concussion issues. Despres began skating around christmas time and has since been sent to the AHL on a conditioning loan.
Last night marked game four for Despres’ AHL stint and it was only fitting that he scored a goal in his potential last game with the Gulls. Last night was also the second end of a back-to-back for Despres and the Gulls and if he felt fine this morning, all signs would then point to his return to the Ducks coming this week.
The Ducks are in Boston for their final game before the all-star break which takes place next weekend in Nashville.
Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters today that he planned to meet with general manager Bob Murray to discuss Despres’ availability for Tuesday. It would be a huge boost for the Ducks to get Despres back, but they may not rush him.
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After Tuesday’s game against the Bruins, the Ducks will not play again until the following Tuesday when they return home to face the Sharks.
Would it be wise for Bob Murray to have Despres return home to Southern California instead of trying to play in Boston?
Despres just played four games in the past week after not taking part in a game for nearly 12 weeks. Giving Despres an extra week would allow him to get his legs back after what I assume to be a grueling week in returning to game action.
The Bruins have played well this season and Tuesday is a big two points for the Ducks, but the long term outcomes factor into this decision of whether or not Despres should play.
Another thing to condsider here is the roster moves that come with Despres’ return.
The Ducks roster sits at 23, the max allowed, so somebody will have to be sent down in order to open up a roster spot for Despres. Adam Clendenning, Josh Manson and Korbinian Holzer all require waivers to be sent down to the AHL while Shea Theodore is exempt from waivers.
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The issue is that Theodore and Manson have been regulars in the Ducks lineup recently. Clendenning and Holzer are the obvious candidates to be reassigned but Murray would run the risk of losing one to a waiver claim if he does take that route.
Murray could be looking for a deal packaged around one of the two or even both. That would open up a roster spot if the Ducks do get a pick or prospect in return.
So keeping Despres on injured reserve until after the all-star break gives Bob Murray time to figure out a plan.
A plan that is obviously based around Despres, but also the return of Cam Fowler and Clayton Stoner who are set to return from IR soon as well.
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Three roster spots must be cleared and Bob Murray could use the extra time to figure everything out. It will be highly interesting to see what happens, twitter should be a fun place over the next week or two, stay tuned.