Anaheim Ducks: Is Jakob Silfverberg the Odd Man Out?

The Anaheim Ducks are in a bit of a financial bind. They are now much closer to the cap ceiling after recent contract extensions and two RFA’s left to sign. Is there room for Jakob Silverberg?

It’s always easy to examine and critique a trade in retrospect.

The Bobby Ryan trade was always going to be one to evaluate further down the road. It’s safe to say the Anaheim Ducks have fared well since the transaction.

However, it’s been over five years since Anaheim acquired Jakob Silfverberg and we are now left wondering if his tenure with the franchise could be coming to an end.

Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray has openly stated that he wanted to make changes on and off the ice this summer. For the most part, he’s done that. Off the ice, the Ducks fired assistant coach Steve Konalwalchuk and promoted Marty Wilford.

On the ice, they’ve extended the contracts of Adam Henrique, Brandon Montour, and John Gibson. As well as signing a few depth players to replace the likes of Derek Grant, Kevin Bieksa, and Francois Beauchemin among others. Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase are also likely to have new contracts by the start of the season.

The focus shifts to the 27-year-old Swedish winger who has been a dependable player for the Anaheim Ducks since arriving in 2013. He plays in all situations and has a strong two-way game. Silfverberg has been a staple on the “shutdown line” with Ryan Kesler and Andrew Cogliano since it’s inception.

Which probably leaves you wondering; Well why would the Ducks ever think of letting him go? Let’s explore why.

The Odd Man Out

Bob Murray’s comments at July’s season ticket holders event provided ample content on a variety of different topics. The one that sticks out, in this context, is his assertion that Jakob Silfverberg will be moved to left-wing to accommodate Ondrej Kase and the return of Patrick Eaves.

Now, this isn’t the first time Silfverberg has played on his off wing. However, this time it is certainly more intriguing. He’s fallen behind the team’s other right wings, Kase, Eaves, and Perry on the depth charts. This change is likely an attempt to keep Silfverberg in the top-six, as there isn’t much depth on the left-side after Rickard Rakell.

Ryan Kesler’s health will also determine where Silfverberg plays. If Kesler is ready to go, Silfverberg could find himself in a familiar spot on the “shutdown line” alongside Andrew Cogliano. Whether his versatility should be considered an asset or a sign that he is the odd-man-out is up for debate.

Youth ready to make the jump

The influx of young forwards from the San Diego Gulls affords the Ducks with plenty of options this season. According to Bob Murray; Sam Steel, Troy Terry, and Kevin Roy are all close to making the team. Whether Silfverberg should worry about losing his spot is contingent on their success in the AHL.

If the younger players are ready, their path to the first team may be blocked as the Ducks currently have a logjam in the top-six. Rakell, Getzlaf, Perry, Eaves, Henrique, Kase, and Silfverberg all hinder their chances of making the jump from San Diego. That also includes Ryan Kesler if he is healthy enough to start the season.

Training camp will be a good indicator of whether they are ready to make team and could be the tipping point on a potential trade for Jakob Silfverberg. In a franchise that has long been a budget team, the significantly cheaper options on the way in could force Bob Murray into making a deal.

Less Money, More Problems

The Ducks signed contract extensions with Adam Henrique, Brandon Montour, and John Gibson. They are also working on deals with restricted free agents Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase. Gibson and Henrique’s extensions kick in for the 2019-20 season which accounts for close to a $6 million increase in cap hit.

Conversely, we see about the same come off the books next season with contracts expiring for Brian Gibbons, Andrej Sustr, Luke Schenn, Korbinian Holzer and Ryan Miller. The NHL will likely have a cap increase for the 2019-20 season, but it won’t be substantial.

That leaves one player left to be signed, Jakob Silfverberg. The question becomes; How much should he make? Let’s look at that.

Silfverberg currently has a cap hit of $3,750,000 and has averaged approx. 40 points over the last 4 seasons, with a career-high of 49 in 2016-17.  He’s consistently a high volume shot generator for the team, sitting either first or second in shots on goal and total shots attempted over the last three seasons.

However, we can’t just judge Silfverberg solely on his offense considering he is utilized in a more defensive role for the team. In fact, he had the second highest defensive zone start percentage at even strength behind only Ryan Kesler. It’s the second straight season he’s done so, while also having over 60% of his zone starts in the defensive end. If Ryan Kesler isn’t ready to start the season that makes Silfverberg the most effective defensive forward the Ducks have.

The fact of the matter is, Silfverberg has 20-goal potential and is consistently one of the Ducks most dependable players defensively. All signs point to him getting a raise, and something around $4.5-5M per season seems likely.

If the Ducks are willing to give a defensive forward top six money, then they may have to get creative to make everything fit. Whether that involves trading Nick Ritchie or Andrew Cogliano or the evergreen theory of buying out Corey Perry, something would have to be done.

If they aren’t, then Silfverberg will hit the trade block before February’s trade deadline. Bob Murray has repeatedly stated he doesn’t like to lose players for nothing, so don’t expect him to still be around if contract discussions aren’t heading in a positive direction.