If we were Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray, this is what we’d do
We asked our staff to imagine themselves running the Anaheim Ducks. Here are the answers to five questions about what we would do if we were GM Bob Murray.
Every fan is an armchair coach or general manager. We can’t help ourselves. It’s in a fans nature to second guess almost every decision. Today the Pucks of a Feather staff puts ourselves in Anaheim Ducks General Manager Bob Murray’s shoes.
Question 1) What is your biggest area of concern with the Anaheim Ducks that needs improvement?
Greg Johnson – Scoring. The goaltending is extraordinary. The defense is adequate (when Fowler and Lindholm are both playing). The forwards are ok. But they need scorers. Trying to win every game 2-1 is a horrid plan.
Ed Stein – A big stay-at-home defenseman that can skate. There is entirely too much traffic in front of goalies John Gibson and Ryan Miller. I want someone to clear the crease. That’s not all, otherwise, we could find the reincarnation of Clayton Stoner. The new blueliner must be able to join the rush and help in the transition game.
Jacob Robles – I’d say the bottom 6. It isn’t bad per say but we need to be solid throughout. Can’t just be a two line team.
Chris Bushell – Secondary scoring. The Ducks need to take the pressure off guys like Rakell Getzlaf and Perry to an extent. That line should stay together and will get their points, but if Silfverberg Kesler (hopefully) Henrique and guys like Kase Roy and Steel can produce this team can be lethal offensively.
Question 2) If you could add any pending unrestricted regardless of price (skaters only), who would it be?
Greg Johnson – Is this a trick question? Tavares…duh!
Ed Stein – It isn’t a trick question, but I’ll give you a trick answer. I think I’ve made it clear in several articles about how highly I think of John Taveras. I’d add him in a heartbeat and make him a top five paid player. That said, the bigger prize this offseason is defenseman Erik Karlsson from Ottawa.
Karlsson has one year left on his current contract and wants out of the Canadian capital. He is the best player at his position in the league and you can’t say the same about JT. If an extension can be worked out with his agent, get it done.
Jacob Robles – Tavares for sure. Especially with Kesler potentially being done for the year, Tavares would be a great addition.
Chris Bushell – Carlson. He has had an incredible year for the Caps and has anchored their blue-line. A huge reason why they’re 3 wins from the Cup and he’s entering his prime. Think he could bring guys like Fowler and Lindholm to leadership roles and tutor guys like Montour and Larrson.
Question 3) How much rope does Randy Carlyle have before you make a change?
Greg Johnson – November 29, one day before he was fired last time. Even though he did a good job getting that beaten up Ducks team to the playoffs last season, the game has passed him by. I’m not sure why he’s starting the season as head coach when it’s clear Dallas Eakins will finish the season as the bench boss.
Ed Stein – November 1 plus any time he spends in the top three in the Pacific Division. If the Ducks fall below third at any time after, he’s gone. Additionally, the entire division could start off poorly. I’d apply the same conditions for top seven in the Western Conference.
Jacob Robles – November. If things are going bad I wouldn’t hesitate to let him go.
Chris Bushell – Carlyle has until Thanksgiving, Christmas at the absolute latest. If the Ducks don’t look like a playoff team by the two big winter holidays it’s time to pull the plug. The kids should make their impact this season and if Carlyle can’t get through to them, it’s time to bring Eakins up and let him lead the charge.
Question 4) Is your 2018 1st round pick available for trade?
Greg Johnson – Oh yeah! The Cup window is closing. Everything would be in play if I was GM. But Bob Murray is GM. He already gave one first round pick away for Patrick Eaves. He’s not giving another away this quickly.
Ed Stein – Yes it is, but its got to be part of a huge deal to bring in a legitimate star player.
Jacob Robles – If the return is worth it, yes. I wouldn’t be willing to give it up for a rental. I would want it to be part of a package to get a guy we could potentially lock up for a while.
Chris Bushell – No not moving unless I can package and move up in the 1st round. Can’t afford to not draft as the young guys make the transition need to re-stock the prospect pool. Ducks had one of the best a few years ago and lots have graduated with hopefully a number contributing this season. Time to re-stock.
Question 5) You have a magic wand, who’s contract do you eliminate from the books?
Greg Johnson – Normally I would say Corey Perry, even though I still love the way he plays. At a cap hit if $8.625 million, he’s way overpaid. But at least he contributes. Ryan Kesler has four years left on his contract. The last two years were never going to be worth the $6.875 million cap hit. And it looks like he’ll miss most or all of the coming season. If I was rubbing a lamp, I’d burn one wish on recapturing that cap space for some speed and scoring up front.
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Ed Stein – I go the opposite way that Greg does on this one. I keep Kesler over Perry. First of all Perry’s recent production isn’t worth the annual cap hit of $8.625M per year. Next, if everyone is healthy, I can count more on Kesler in a defensive role, than a declining Corey Perry. Finally, if Kesler’s hip issues are that bad, he could be a regular visitor to long-term injured reserve and the Ducks have some cap relief. Perry’s contract gone and Kesler on LTIR opens up $15.5M.
Jacob Robles – Ritchie’s contract. I’m not too impressed with his play. He’s young so I kind of give him a pass because not everyone is gonna be a stud right away. But, he needs to become more disciplined because frankly, it’s tiring watching him consistently take dumb penalties.
Chris Bushell – One contract to be rid of I’d agree with is Nick Ritchie. I know he’s an RFA and with that, I wouldn’t resign him or sign and trade. This kid, I know, is still young but he’s invisible more often than not and when he is seen, he’s in the box. I’ve seen him enough times to put Roy or Steel with Henrique and Kase.
Next: 5 reasons for Ducks fans to be positive about the team
Those were our decisions. What would you do? Let us know on facebook or twitter.