Anaheim Ducks: Some good news from GM Bob Murray
Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray wasn’t all negative when he spoke with “The Athletic” after this weekend’s draft. He had some positive things to say about re-signing some important players.
Lost in the rush to get out Anaheim Ducks General Manager Bob Murray’s comments about his team’s leadership core was some good news. The club is making progress in re-signing both their own restricted free agents (RFA) and players who are entering their contract years.
Restricted Free Agents
In the same interview with Eric Stephens, Murray said he intended to make qualifying offers to his restricted free agents, especially key team members Ondrej Kase, Nick Ritchie, and Brandon Montour. According to transaction reports, the GM kept his word and then some. Also receiving qualifying offers from the Anaheim Ducks are Nic Kerdiles, Kevin Roy, Andy Welinski, and Kalle Kossila.
Contract Year Players
He went on to say, that it was a priority to get the ball rolling on extensions for players in their contract years, center Adam Henrique, right wing Jakob Silfverberg, and goalie John Gibson.
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“I don’t think I can go into this with those guys being a little bit away from unrestricted. It’s dangerous to have that situation and then you get to February or whatever the trade deadline is and you’re in the hunt and you’re close, you’re whatever. It’s very difficult to move the people at that point in time. It doesn’t work well. So yeah, I think it’s important I try to get something done.” – Bob Murray
Extending John Gibson should be his number one priority. Without Gibson, the whole thing falls apart. A case can be made for other players but without a solid goalie to build a foundation on, the rest is like putting lipstick on a pig (see New York Islanders).
There is a possible math issue coming up. Without making some other roster changes, extending Henrique, and Silfverberg with substantial raises is going to put the Anaheim Ducks close to the cap ceiling.
Other News
The Anaheim Ducks parted ways with assistant coach Steve Konowalchuk who was running the Ducks power play. He was only in Anaheim for one season. Under his leadership, the Ducks man advantage slipped from 17th in the NHL for 2016-17 to 23rd last year. Murray explained his reasoning for the dismissal. “After reflection after the year, after thinking about it for a long time, I just felt we … changes have to be made.”
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The Ducks power play looked awful at certain times of the year. This move, although bad for Konowalchuk, is a positive for the Ducks.