Apr 16, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Bryan Allen (55) during game one of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the San Jose Sharks at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With the Anaheim Ducks adding defenseman Clayton Stoner it looks like Bryan Allen’s time with the Ducks will be coming to an end. Allen found a home on the Ducks bottom pairing for most of the season, usually being put with either Sami Vatanen or Stephane Robidas.
The fans have dubbed Stoner as Bryan Allen 2.0, which is a fairly accurate comparison. Comparing the two is like comparing the iPhone 4 and 5, they are essentially the same thing, one is just older and slower than the other. Both are big body stay-at-home defenseman with little offensive upside. However, with Allen on the wrong side of 30 and slated in as the eighth defenseman, the Ducks should look to move him before the start of the season.
He is coming off an average season with the Anaheim Ducks where he played 68 games and put up 10 assists. He was also a prominent figure on the Ducks penalty kill.
I’m more or less a stay-at-home defenseman. I’m also someone who plays with a bit of an edge. I’m not necessarily fighting all the time, but I’m a team player who stands up for my teammates and plays with an aggressive style.
Allen has 1 year remaining on his contract with the Anaheim Ducks, carrying a cap hit of $3.5 million. Teams looking to add some grit to their back-end could make a move for the veteran blueliner if they aren’t able to meet their needs through free agency.
Since Mark Fistric has emerged as the seventh defenseman it becomes increasingly more likely that Allen will be traded. However, the Ducks are not in any hurry to move the 33 year-old. With a significant amount of cap space still available and with Allen set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end they will be negotiating from a position of power with any potential suitors.
It will be interesting to see the type of return Anaheim will seek if any move is eventually made. With a lot of young players making their way into the team, a mid-round draft pick could be the most likely option. However, if the Ducks don’t decide to promote talented youngster Rickard Rakell, then a bottom six forward could be sought after. If a good enough offer presents itself they should look to capitalize on the chance to offload a defenseman who would see very little minutes this season.
If anything, the Ducks have several options with regards to Bryan Allen’s future and may even decide to keep him to add some depth to their blue-line and ultimately let him walk as a UFA in 2015.
Although the Ducks appear to be done with their free agent shopping, I fully expect a deal involving Anaheim Ducks defenseman Bryan Allen will be made sometime this summer, but don’t be surprised if the Ducks take 8 blueliners into the start of the 2014-15 season.
Do you feel Bryan Allen should be traded? Or should he stay with the Anaheim Ducks?