Anaheim Ducks Raise, Call, Fold: Addressing Speculative Topics
There are bound to be a lot of changes in the Anaheim Ducks organization over the next few months. Are these the right moves to get the team back to their competitive ways next season?
It is a known fact that there are a lot of changes coming to the Anaheim Ducks next season. However, there are a lot of changes that have not yet been corroborated by Bob Murray or have not been confirmed because the season has yet to end.
It’s been a while since the staff at Pucks of a Feather has played a round of Raise, Call, Fold. This month, we discuss our opinion on four popular topics within the Anaheim Ducks organization that are currently speculative.
If you have missed the previous editions of Raise, Call, Fold, here’s a break down of how things work. Each contributor will be presented with the same four statements and will respond either raise, call, or fold. “Raise” means that they agree with the following statement. If they answer “call”, they are undecided or torn on the subject. “Fold” means they disagree completely.
The staff at Pucks of a Feather will respond to the following four statements:
1. Jakob Silfverberg should be given a contract extension.
2. The Anaheim Ducks will have a draft pick in the Top 5.
3. Dallas Eakins should be the next head coach of the Anaheim Ducks.
4. Cam Fowler will be traded in the offseason.
Feel free to play along by leaving your answers to the statements above in the comment section down below!
Jakob Silfverberg should be given a contract extension.
Khalid Hart: Raise — Silverberg should be given an extension. He’s earned it this season. As long as he isn’t given a NMC, I’m fine with it and he won’t be that old when his contract ends. I’d hate to see him go for a pick and a prospect we’ll probably never see make the team
Jake Robles: Call — I was hoping they’d trade him and get a decent return, but it makes sense that GMHCBM would try to resign him. He’s been arguably one of our best players since Pontus Aberg was traded to Minnesota. He’s been pretty hot lately, so I can’t complain too much.
TJ Watson: Call — I do like Silf, but I don’t think he has been consistent enough with scoring. Maybe after this year, if he keeps this up, I’ll reconsider.
Ed Stein: Fold — Why lock up a second-and-a-half line player on a rebuilding team? GMBM could have received a pick or prospect player for Silf. He takes the spot of a young forward that the Anaheim Ducks could develop.
Eddy Jones: Fold — Jakob Silfverberg shouldn’t be given a contract extension. The Ducks can get real assets now to help this team be competitive in the future. By the time the Ducks are competitive again, Silfverberg will be 32 or 33-years-old and he will likely not be as effective as he is now. Sell and reap the benefits.
Kennyth Marcial: Raise — Silfverberg is a great role model for the younger prospects heading into the NHL. He steps up in the playoffs and can produce more offensive if given competent linemates. It seems like a long time ago, but he looked dominant with Maxime Comtois and Adam Henrique to start the season. There is a bit of a log jam at right wing, but competition brings out the best in players and it’s not necessarily a bad thing to allow prospects extended development in the AHL.
Ciara Durant: Call — I appreciate Jakob Silfverberg for everything he has done for this organization. He has proven he can be an asset to the Anaheim Ducks in both an offensive and shutdown role. Plus, he can be versatile if needed; he’s shown that he can be successful playing on his off wing. However, having that much money wrapped up in four players is a recipe for a cap disaster.
Re-signing him will also prevent the Ducks younger prospects from having a chance at moving up to the big club next season. I hope Bob Murray has a few big moves up his sleeve because the Anaheim Ducks need to move towards being a younger team. Silf is certainly a great veteran to have in your arsenal, but not if other changes aren’t made.
The Anaheim Ducks will have a draft pick in the Top 5.
Khalid Hart: Call — The Anaheim Ducks have won three of their last four games since Bob Murray super kicked Randy Carlyle out of the team. If they keep it up, they’ll likely lose out on getting Jack Hughes, Kakko Kappo, or a top 5 pick in general. Only time will tell what happens.
Jake Robles: Call — Honestly, the Ducks are super unpredictable right now to really tell. I would love a high draft pick but the team has been playing surprisingly well lately and I just have a feeling they’re going to somehow either come close to or actually go on a playoff run.
TJ Watson: Fold — I think this team is starting to rev up for the playoffs, and with how they’ve been playing lately, it wouldn’t surprise me if we’re close to the last spot for the playoffs.
Ed Stein: Call — It’s too early to tell. There are other teams that can and will do a better job of losing the rest of this season. However, I would love to see Jack Hughes in a Ducks uniform.
Eddy Jones: Call — I still don’t know if this team is really bad enough to consistently lose at the level of say the Ottawa Senators or Detroit Red Wings. There is still a shot, so I’m on the fence. I, of course, want that Top 5 pick since the Ducks are missing that elite forward prospect. I’d obviously go with Jack Hughes if they are able to get the #1 pick, but I’d be fine with Dylan Cozens or Trevor Zegras as well.
Kennyth Marcial: Fold — With the top three picks up for the lottery, the Ducks have to finish in second to last place to ensure they receive a Top 5 pick. It seemed like a certainty a few days ago, but a chance of coaching and going 3-1 since doesn’t bode well for the tank.
Ciara Durant: Fold — If you would have asked me two weeks ago, I would have said that the Anaheim Ducks were a shoo-in for a Top 5 draft pick. However, with the resurgence they have made in the past few weeks under the guidance of GMHCBM, I think their chances at a high draft pick are off the table.
I am not fully confident they can still make the playoffs, but I think they will come close enough to ruin their chances at a Top 5 pick. With the prospect of losing out on Jack Hughes or Kakko Kappo I really like Cole Caufield and the projected #1 draft puck, Hughes, has a lot of wonderful things to say about his teammate. He’s ranked to go around 15th or 16th, so if the Ducks could snag him, I’d be very happy.
Dallas Eakins should be the next head coach of the Anaheim Ducks.
Khalid Hart: Call — Yes, Dallas Eakins has the respect and time with some of the younger players who will be on the team, as well as some of the vets. However, I still think there are better coaches on the market. Coach Joel Quenneville, Darryl Sutter, and Alain Vigneault; these are all coaches who have been to the Stanley Cup Final since 2014. They are all successful in their own way and are proven winners. I don’t think Eakins should get the job just because he’s close and convenient.
Jake Robles: Raise — He’s already under contract, it’s a super simple solution.
TJ Watson: Call — I want someone behind the bench who is more innovative, and Dallas Eakins fits that bill. However, I want to see how he transitions in Anaheim before I make that judgment call.
Ed Stein: Raise — Dallas Eakins should absolutely be the Anaheim Ducks next head coach. He’s done a wonderful job of developing prospects in San Diego. Let him work with those same players at the next level.
Eddy Jones: Call — Dallas Eakins will be the next coach of the Anaheim Ducks, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I think he should. He’s qualified and probably knows these players more than anyone else out there. However, I don’t know how I’d feel to be the team who misses out on Rickard Gronborg. I feel he’s going to be a great coach in this league and he’d be my first choice.
Kennyth Marcial: Call — Dallas Eakins has done a great job in San Diego and a lot of our prospects are familiar with his coaching. Having an intimate knowledge of our roster will help his chances and he’s got the inside position for the job. With Joel Quenneville available, as well as Rickard Gronborg, there will be stiff competition for the job, and I wouldn’t say it’s a foregone conclusion that Eakins is their choice.
Ciara Durant: Call — I respect Dallas Eakins tremendously for the work he has done at developing our younger prospects the past few seasons, and I would not be disappointed if he took his rightful place behind the bench. However, with other coaches potentially up for grabs in the off-season, such as Sheldon Keefe and Rickard Gronborg, I really hope Bob Murray will conduct a few interviews instead of jumping the gun and hiring Eakins for the job from the get-go.
Cam Fowler will be traded during the offseason.
Khalid Hart: Fold — I disagree with trading him, he’s only a year or two into his new contract and he’s on a down year just like everyone else. I don’t think he’ll be traded so easily. If he does, it’d have to be another roster player in a 1 for 1 or a trade involving multiple assets.
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Jake Robles: Call — To piggyback what I said in my answer about the Anaheim Ducks and their draft pick, I think we’re finally playing good enough hockey where I could see GMHCBM not wanting to tinker with things, but with Silfverberg off the table, he’s the most valuable asset to trade. The return would have to be really good, in my opinion.
TJ Watson: Fold — I think Fowler, under a new coach, will thrive.
Ed Stein: Call — To tell the truth, Bob Murray has mystified me with trades since he picked up Adam Henrique from the New Jersey Devils. It could go either way depending on what another team is willing to pay for him.
Eddy Jones: Fold — I don’t think the Ducks will trade Cam Fowler. The consensus around the organization seems to be he’s too valuable to let go. I can understand that since his elite skating ability translates well in the modern game. He’s had an off year, but so has almost everyone else. He can be a valuable player for this team in the future, but if I had my way, I’d trade him for some assets and start replenishing the blue line in the draft. However, I can’t see Bob Murray moving Cam Fowler unless he was blown away.
Kennyth Marcial: Raise — After the Silf extension, it became apparent that salary will be moved out before next season. Throw in the 2021 expansion draft, trading one of the “Big 4” is a necessity. We have great prospect depth on the left side of our defense and very little on the right. Exchanging Fowler for an elite offensive talent or two to fuel the “retooling.”
Ciara Durant: Call — I think Fowler should be given the opportunity to play under another coach before he is moved. After everything he’s done for the franchise, he deserves that much. He also needs a stable and reliable partner. However, should he continue to ride this steady decline, a change of pace could be good for the veteran defenseman. Moving him could also be a good move if the Anaheim Ducks want to avoid cap purgatory.
dark. Next. Trade Deadline Rumblings and Observations
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