Pucks of a Feather
Fansided

Anaheim Ducks May Mailbag: Priorities, Free Agents, and WWE

By Ed Stein

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 6: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates with the bench after his first-period goal during the game against the Dallas Stars at Honda Center on April 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 6: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates with the bench after his first-period goal during the game against the Dallas Stars at Honda Center on April 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Anaheim Duks
ANAHEIM, CA – MARCH 12: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) in action during the second period of a game against the Anaheim Ducks, on March 12, 2017. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Question 3) What unrestricted free should the Ducks go after?

Jacob Robles – I’m not really in the loop of who are UFA’s at the moment but with Carolina going into for sale mode I think BM should be making some calls over there.

Greg Johnson – The Ducks don’t play in the high-end free agent market. If you’re thinking John Tavares is going to be making post-practice tee times in Orange County, you’re kidding yourself.

That said, the Ducks need speed. No one is faster than Michael Grabner. His cap hit was $1.65 million last season. Imagine him receiving home run bombs from Getzlaf all season long. He might set the record for short-handed goals in a season.

Blake Navarro – I think the Ducks need help on defense. Cam Fowler needs the Defense partner he deserves. Maybe they can take a run at someone like a John Carlson from Washington.

Ciara Durant – Carlson is basically the holy grail of defensemen right now. If the Ducks could acquire him, that would be huge. However, as good as he would look in a Ducks sweater, he would be an incredibly expensive acquisition. Plus, I’m sure every other team has their eye on him. If only the Ducks could pull a few extra million dollars out of the hat.

Chris Bushell – I don’t believe the Ducks need to go after any UFAs. Carlson out of Washington is a UFA and I’d love him as part of the Ducks blue line but he will demand a huge payday. The Ducks don’t have the cap space to take him on and they don’t need him if they take care of their own.

Ed Stein – Of the players slated to become Unrestricted Free Agents right now, John Taveras. He’s a rare talent that doesn’t come around very often. By unloading Jakob Silfverberg (3.75M) and a now unnecessary Adam Henrique ($4M), the Ducks have enough cap space. I don’t think he makes it to July without a contract. Whoever trades for his rights (hopefully the Ducks) will sign him.

More realistic options are on the blueline. The well-traveled Ian Cole or NYI’s Thomas Hickey (anyone who can go +20 with the Islanders goalies gets my attention) are my top two. They are lower cost players that can help the team.

Home/Ducks News