Sunday Editorial: Anaheim Ducks Have Decisions to Make this Week (so do you)
By Ed Stein
Extensions
There are three important players on the current roster whose contracts expire at the end of 2018-19. The most important of the three is goalie John Gibson. For all intents and purposes, he is the future of the franchise. Even though Gibson will be a restricted free agent next summer, I have three words for Murray, “pay the man!” Give him an extension (starting in 2019) that makes him feel like an important piece of the future because he is. Then lay the foundation for a long-term deal.
As for the other two players entering their contract year, Jakob Silfverberg and Adam Henrique, who knows. It’s unlikely that either player will receive a huge payday from Anaheim in free agency. Murray’s decision here is, does he trade them and recoup some value in lieu of letting one or both walk for free? Or does he try for a team friendly extension, which neither would likely sign, but there is always a chance? Either way, the draft is when deals for contract year players are made or at least discussed among GMs.
Free Agency
Other than possibly J.T. Brown and Derek Grant there aren’t any internal unrestricted free agents worth bringing back. On the restricted side, the question isn’t whether or not to resign anyone, the question is for how much money (and subsequently how many years at that amount). As we have written in Pucks of a Feather many times, the young guys will get raises, but none of them have much leverage to hold the team up for a big deal.
Externally, the Ducks don’t have a track record of chasing big fish under Murray’s leadership. There is always hope. One reason for that hope is the possibility of close to $10M of cap space opening up if neither Ryan Kesler (hip) and Patrick Eaves (Guillian-Barre) can play this season due to their respective injuries.
A more likely scenario involves Anaheim bringing in some complementary players. Adding a veteran defenseman seems like the most plausible idea. Also, if Kesler is out for the year, a checking line center is a definite area of need.