Number 4: The Ducks Will Make Some Moves… They Won’t Be Flashy, They won’t be Blockbusters
It seems inevitable at this point that the Ducks will make some moves, there’s just no benefit to them standing pat, but one thing that I think Ducks fans should understand, and prepare themselves for, is that, while we all would love to see the Ducks in on the huge names available, or shopping their big names, it’s simply not feasible for the most part. The reasoning for that is that the Ducks are in kind of a pickle when it comes to their cap situation.
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As it stands at this moment, the Ducks barely have any cap space, (Currently projected to have under $100,000 actually), and once you factor in the return of Corey Perry, they’re in a situation where they’re basically strapped. Ondrej Kase will likely go onto LTIR giving them a bit of relief, Ryan Kesler could end up there as well as there’s currently no time-table for his return, and once Chad Johnson is no longer needed he too will likely be dumped (If the Ducks don’t move Ryan Miller instead which I personally think is unlikely). The fact is the Ducks roster situation is less than ideal, and even more, frustrating, the main culprits for the cap crisis, aren’t movable. Both Ryan Kesler and Corey Perry at this point in their careers are not worth their contracts, and as such outside of giving up a significant asset (Similar to the price Detroit paid to get Arizona to take Pavel Datsyuk off their hands, which would also require their blessing since they both hold No Movement Clauses).
Outside of that, the Ducks don’t really have much that is significantly affecting their cap situation that is movable. Cam Fowler is one name that Ducks Fans have brought up as possible trade-fodder but to this point, I haven’t heard his name brought up by any insiders. Josh Manson is another who falls into that category. The remainder of the Ducks roster is making under 6.0 million a year, which is the low end of what elite players make. Therefore I don’t see a situation where the Ducks will bring in anyone that will get fans truly excited, and put butts into the seats off of their name alone.
Why It’s Okay
While the Ducks don’t look to be bringing in a player that will have fans salivating at watching them play this year, the Ducks could very well be making some moves that bring in assets that could turn into that caliber of player. Young prospects, and draft picks should be the top of the Ducks wish-list, and players like Jakob Silfverberg could fetch a 1st round pick., Jake Muzzin was just traded for a 1st round pick and two mid-range prospects. It’s hard to imagine that Cam Fowler wouldn’t surpass that in terms of a return. He’s locked up a lot longer, and is at a fairly competitive cap hit. Overall, we likely won’t see much of an impact to any of the moves that Bob Murray may make for quite some time, but with a bit of patience, and some shrewd dealing from GMBM, the Ducks could restock their cupboard with some blue-chip prospects that the organization is sorely missing currently.
The Ducks have some good young prospects on the way and there are ways for this team to be back competing for a Stanley Cup very soon. But it may not be a good feeling or pretty sight to accomplish what needs to be to bring that elusive second Cup to Anaheim.