Anaheim Ducks Re-tool Player Evaluation: Ryan Getzlaf

If the Anaheim Ducks are on the path to a retool, what does this mean for the future of their players?

Bob Murray, in his most recent statements following the trade of Brandon Montour, mentioned that the Ducks are in a retool. They are trying to get younger, faster and return this team to the prestige that he, the fans, and the owners have grown accustomed to. Over the next few weeks, we will be breaking down where some of the players on the Anaheim Ducks stand in terms of that re-tool. Some will be part of the core, some will be likely trade pieces, and some will be question marks.

El Capitan

Let’s start with the captain of the team, Ryan Getzlaf. Drafted 19th overall by the, then, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in what is considered one of the greatest drafts of all time, the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Ryan Getzlaf has spent the past 16 years s a part of the Anaheim Ducks organization.

For 14 of those years, he has played for the team full time. It’s not hard to see why “Getzy” dons the “C” on his jersey. Getzlaf exemplifies what it means to be an Anaheim Duck, playing a hard, physical style of play that depends on playing not only a strong offensive game but also a responsible defensive game. Getzlaf took on the captaincy in 2010 taking the role from the retiring Scott Niedermayer. Getzlaf has led this team ever since and has rarely looked out of place as the leader of this team.

Now 33 years old, the Regina Saskatchewan native finds himself in a position that is uncharted territory for him, as the Ducks are in their first real re-tool since he was drafted. Getzlaf is still a competent player, playing at a high level, and perennially leading the team in points. So where does he stand in regards to a re-tool?

More from Ducks News

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• Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
• Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
• Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
• How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?

Prediction

Well, it seems unlikely that he’d be moved. Getzlaf is in the 6th year of an 8 year deal that sees him paid $8.25M a season. This makes him difficult to move without either throwing in an asset or retaining a good chunk of his salary. Both things that don’t seem beneficial to a team looking to build. Getzlaf also has a no-movement clause in his contract, meaning he has to approve any trade which seems unlikely for a player who has been part of this team his entire career and has a family that has settled in.

Getzlaf did say that if Bob Murray asked him to waive his no-movement clause he would do so, again being the ultimate team player, but for a team with a lot of problems, it’s hard to say that Ryan Getzlaf is one of them, and as such I think he will finish out his current contract with the Ducks, and if he doesn’t retire at that point, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take on a similar role to that of Joe Thornton in San Jose, signing short term deals with the Ducks for whatever extra cap space the team has. Someday, the number 15 will be hanging in the rafters at Honda Center whether he plays every game of his career with the Ducks or not, and I personally don’t see Getzlaf wanting to play for another team.

Confidence in prediction – 7/10

Stay tuned for more, and feel free to suggest the next player we cover, I’m on Twitter @NoJolt and that’s the best place to suggest who you want to see covered next.