Anaheim Ducks Free Agency Preview/Outlook, Potential Fits
By Ryan Ritchie
Anaheim Ducks Free Agency Preview/Outlook, Salary Cap Situation, Restricted Free Agents, Team Needs, and Potential Fits
Anaheim Ducks free agency outlook is murky at best right now. Until GM Bob Murray starts shaking up the roster, it’s difficult to identify specific needs.
At the same time, July 1 is only a little over two weeks away, which means decisions should fall sooner than later unless Anaheim plans on scraping up the leftover free agents.
2015-16 was a strange year for Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and company.
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They came out the gates flat at the start of the regular season incapable of scoring goals. Eventually, the team caught fire under netminder John Gibson, and the goals began to flow once again. Next to the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim was arguably the next hottest team over the second half.
The Ducks were hoping to ride momentum into the playoffs much like the Pens, but unfortunately fell short in the opening round to the Nashville Predators.
Anaheim’s early exit prompted Bob Murray to relieve head coach Bruce Boudreau (now with Minnesota) of his duties. The Ducks GM also proclaimed that more changes should be expected this summer.
A plethora of RFAs looking for new deals could force Murray’s hand on the trade market. He should be one the busiest GMs in the summer of 2016.
Anaheim Ducks Free Agency Outlook/Preview
Salary Committed to 2016-17: $52,429,166
Number of Players Signed: 31
Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: David Perron, Jamie McGinn, Shawn Horcoff, Chris Stewart, Mike Santorelli, Korbinian Holzer, Anton Khudobin
Notable Restricted Free Agents: Brandon Pirri, Rickard Rakell, Sami Vatanen, Hampus Lindholm, Frederik Andersen, Dustin Tokarski
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Of the numerous UFAs, Anaheim may only look to retain a couple of players in David Perron and Jamie McGinn – if they can get the money to work.
Don’t be surprised if Bob Murray trades at least one of his RFAs, if not two. Frederik Andersen is likely on his way out with the emergence of John Gibson.
If Sami Vatanen isn’t traded this summer, the odd man out could be Cam Fowler. Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour could be ready to step in next year, essentially making a blueliner expendable.
Anaheim Ducks Team Needs
Top-Six LWers, Bottom-Six Forward Depth, Backup Goaltender (or depth G if Tokarski can fill that role)
The Ducks don’t necessarily need to splurge on that top-six forward in FA – it’s likely Bob Murray addresses that hole via trade, and/or through re-signing Perron/McGinn.
In a perfect world, retaining one of those UFAs, adding an upgrade at 1LW is most ideal.
Instead, they could sign a player as insurance capable of stepping into the top-six temporarily for slumping players/injuries.
Next: NHL Mock Draft 6.5: 7 Rounds of Prospect Analysis
Potential Anaheim Ducks Free Agency Targets
Top-6 Targets (if trades don’t address holes, and ANA can make the money work): LW Milan Lucic, LW Andrew Ladd, LW Mikkel Boedker, C/LW Frans Nielsen
Depth/Bottom-Six Fwd Options: C Boyd Gordon, C Trevor Lewis, RW Patrick Eaves, C Kyle Chipchura, RW Lee Stempniak, LW Rob Klinkhammer, C Jonathan Marchessault, C Brian Gibbons
Backup Options: G Karri Ramo, G Chad Johnson, G Al Montoya, G Justin Peters, G Carter Hutton, G Jeff Zatkoff
*Salary/Free Agent information was obtained through www.generalfanager.com