Pucks of a Feather’s Anaheim Ducks Monthly Mailbag – April 2018

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 16: Ryan Getzlaf
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 16: Ryan Getzlaf
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The fourth Friday of the month is when we respond to the mail. This month was a bit challenging, but you asked us about the Anaheim Ducks and we answered.

Question 1) Is Ryan Getzlaf a Hall of Famer?

Ciara Durant – Yes! Definitely! Getzy has been a cornerstone for the Ducks. Like I’ve said, he’s not exactly a spring chicken anymore, but he still plays a pretty good game of hockey.

Greg Johnson – Ryan Getzlaf is a guaranteed Hall of Famer. 875 points in 917 games during this dead puck era almost guarantees that. He has a Cup. And he’s been one of the premier playmakers in the game. He’s even added some defense to his game over the past few years.

Jacob Robles – Yes, I believe Getz is a HOFer. I wouldn’t say he’s a first-ballot selection, but he deserves to be in the Hall one day for sure.

Ed Stein – I’m from the Mike Greenberg school of thought on this. Whenever someone asks me if player X (in any sport) is a Hall-of-Famer, if yes doesn’t immediately come to mind, then the answer is no. That said, if Getzlaf gets to 1000 points, he’s pretty darn close to it in my mind. 1033 points, puts him in the top 75 scorers of all-time and he’s a lock.

ANAHEIM, CA – JANUARY 1: Anaheim Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle.
ANAHEIM, CA – JANUARY 1: Anaheim Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle. /

Q2) Why hasn’t Randy Carlyle been fired?

Ciara Durant – Carlyle must have some pretty good dirt in Murray. Joking aside, I honestly think it’s a pride issue. “Player injuries” is not a good enough excuse for him to come back. I think GMBM isn’t willing to admit that hiring Carlyle to come back was an incredibly obtuse decision.

Greg Johnson – There is only one logical reason Carlyle hasn’t been fired. He obviously has photos of Bob Murray or the Samuelis in some kind of a compromising position. There can be no other reason.

Jacob Robles – He got lucky that he was somehow able to coach this team to 2nd place in the Pacific somehow. The injuries definitely saved his job. I didn’t expect him to be canned, even if we missed the playoffs because of all the injuries.

Ed Stein – I’ve written about this before. Carlyle has been a Stanley Cup winning coach in the past. This year he led the Anaheim Ducks to the playoffs when they had every reason to pack it in for the season.

WASHINGTON, DC – February 28: John Taveras
WASHINGTON, DC – February 28: John Taveras /

Question 3) Are the Ducks trading for John Taveras?

Ciara Durant – Honestly, even though he’s a great player, I think the Ducks should look at other potentials. I guess it depends on how much Bobs “faith” in the team is restored over the off-season to justify a contract with him.

Greg Johnson – The Ducks won’t trade for Tavares. If he makes free agency, he won’t be here either. That’s not Bob Murray’s style.

Jacob Robles – I don’t think so. The asking price for Tavares already sounds really high and I don’t think BM would be willing to give up a lot. But, of the asking price is reasonable, I wouldn’t be against trying to get him.

Ed Stein – Are they trading for Taveras? I have no idea. Should they? Oh heck yes. It was in the first editorial I wrote for Pucks of a Feather. Taveras is a dynamic talent. There are very few players like him in the game. If Murray can swing a conditional deal with Islanders for his rights that depends on Taveras signing an extension with the Anaheim Ducks.

ANAHEIM, CA – JANUARY 25: Ryan Getzlaf
ANAHEIM, CA – JANUARY 25: Ryan Getzlaf /

Question 4) Will any of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, or Ryan Kesler get traded this summer?

Ciara Durant – The only player of the three I can see potentially being traded over the summer is Perry. Getzlaf is basically the poster child of the Ducks at the moment and I think Kessler will get a free pass because of his hip surgery/recovery. We all know he wasn’t 100% on the ice this year, and I see it as a somewhat valid excuse. Corey Perry is the only player I’ve seen GMBM make controversial comments about. I hope it doesn’t happen, but we shall see!

Greg Johnson – Wait, you’re asking if the three veterans who have full no-movement clauses in their contracts will be moved. This is a trick question, right? I’m going with a no unless something big happens in one of their personal relationships.

Jacob Robles – No, just no.

Ed Stein – I know that anyone can be traded. I don’t, however, think any of them will get traded unless the Anaheim Ducks season completely collapses and some team is willing to eat a serious amount of contract.

GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 07: Ryan Miller
GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 07: Ryan Miller /

Question 5)  Jacob, when can we blame the goalie?

Jacob Robles – When there’s a team that’s 100% in front of them. Also, remember that famous moment when Patrick Roy rose up his glove without the puck and the Wings scored on him? That’s when it’s ok haha. I just wanna preface this by saying I don’t believe you can’t criticize the goalie ever, but with the circumstances, our tandem faced this year, they’re the last people to blame. Gibson had what, 2 or 3, 50-save games this year? I don’t think you can blame the goalie when their D allows them to face that many shots.

Next: Bob Murray wants to get faster.

Ed Stein – I got to stick up for my man Jacob. You can blame the goalies when they play like Kari Lehtonen or JF Berube.

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