Anaheim Ducks: Where Do the Ducks Go From Here?
Find Them A Fresh Start
In addition to rentals, the Anaheim Ducks should actively be pursuing a fresh start for a few of their current players.
Andrew Cogliano– Ironman has looked like a shell of his former self recently, and honestly I’m not sure he’s to blame. He’s spent the majority of his time with Ryan Kesler who is one of the worst players in the league this year when evaluating his underlying numbers.
Is Kesler to blame for the downfall of Cogliano, or is it a 31-year-old forward just starting to regress? Whatever the answer to that question, Cogliano has two more years on his deal at $3.25 million a year.
That is not an outlandish contract by any stretch, and not impossible to move, and in a retool, cap flexibility is key and Cogliano might be a casualty to that reality.
Patrick Eaves– Eaves story is a sad one. He’s been a class act just about everywhere he’s been. He’s a great player with a great personality, but hockey is a business and the poor guy cannot stay healthy.
The Anaheim Ducks paid a premium to get the oft-injured 34-year-old who has only found a place in a lineup for 7 games over the past season and a half. As it stands now, Eaves is skating normally and is looking to join the Ducks on their road trip.
If Eaves can find a place in the lineup and make an impact over the next few weeks, finding Eaves a chance at a cup might be beneficial to him and the team. Eaves has one more year on his deal at just over $3 million. Any chance at this move will rely on Eaves wanting a move, and being physically able to play for the stretch run.
Ryan Kesler– I would not be shocked if Kesler called it quits after this season. He does not look good on the ice and he’s not performing at a high level. For a hockey player, that hit to your pride is not something most take well.
While Kesler does have 3 more years on his deal after this season, retirement isn’t out of the question in my opinion. If he does not consider retirement he could find himself on the same island that Stephane Robidas, Joffrey Lupul, and Nate Horton currently reside on.
It’d cost an asset, and a team willing to play ball, but getting Kesler’s $6.8 million cap hit off the books should be a huge priority for Bob Murray.