Pucks of a Feather
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Anaheim Ducks: Buy, Try, Sigh, or Cry — Trade Deadline Edition

By Jonathan Maxfield

ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Jakob Silfverberg #33 of the Anaheim Ducks chats with Corey Perry #10 before a face-off during the game against the Boston Bruins on February 15, 2019 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Jakob Silfverberg #33 of the Anaheim Ducks chats with Corey Perry #10 before a face-off during the game against the Boston Bruins on February 15, 2019 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 07: Anaheim Ducks Right Wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) wears a DFID (Do It For Daron) hat during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on February 7, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 07: Anaheim Ducks Right Wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) wears a DFID (Do It For Daron) hat during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on February 7, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Rumor 1: Silfverberg Extended?

The first rumor up to the plate is the speculation that the Ducks will extend Jakob Silfverberg. Silfverberg is a 28-year-old Swedish winger for the Anaheim Ducks; he’s been part of the team for the past 6 years and he’s been a joy to watch over that time.

He is a true two-way forward who is extremely responsible in his own end, but has a laser of a shot, that most guys could only dream of having. However, due to his role being more tailored to a shutdown position, his offensive numbers have never jumped off of the page, usually hovering around 35-40 points, respectable, but not game-changing.

Silfverberg finds himself in a contract year and is currently leading the Ducks in goals. Although, that is not a huge accomplishment considering only four players on the team have 10 or more goals. Only Silf has more than 12, leading the team with 14. So, will Jakob earn himself a shiny new contract with the Anaheim Ducks?

Rumor Rating: Cry

By all accounts, Bob Murray wants to keep Silfverberg. He’s one of the very few players that GMHCBM has publicly endorsed over recent months, and every insider seems to think that re-signing Jakob is priority number one for the Ducks. Including this quote from the most recent
“31 Thoughts” article by extremely reliable Elliott Friedman:

"“When it comes to Jakob Silfverberg, it sounds like the final hurdle is term more than dollars.” -Elliott Friedman"

As much as I like Silfverberg, signing him to an extension would be a big mistake, unless Adam Henrique is traded. The biggest problem the Ducks face right now is they do not have expendable assets who will bring a return of anything meaningful. The three biggest cap hits all have no-movement clauses and are in their mid-30’s. The remaining forwards are either of no substantial value or are seen as part of the future.

Silfverberg is at the point in his career where he will be looking for his biggest pay-day both in terms of dollars and term. Don’t get me wrong, Silfverberg deserves every bit of the bump in salary he’s going to get, but the Ducks, who already have $27 million per season invested in forwards over the age of 30. They also have another $5.8 million starting next year invested in Adam Henrique, who will be 30-years-old. Anaheim cannot afford to pay another $5+ million for a forward entering the latter stages of their career.

Regardless, it seems like Murray is intent on making this happen. It’s not often that Murray sets his mind to re-signing someone, that it doesn’t get done, which is part of the reason we’re in this predicament in the first place. I predict a 5-year deal north of $5.5 million, and the Ducks will quickly come to regret it.

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