Available depth players

I think most of us agree that the Ducks should add another defensive defenceman after re-signing Wisniewski. Also, if we lose Marchant and Rob, the Ducks should be looking to add 1 or 2 defensive forwards. Considering what the Ducks might afford, here are som UFA's who are still out there.

Forwards:
Per-Johan Axelsson (BOS)
Stephane Yelle (BOS)
Ben Guite (COL)
Cody McCormick (COL)
Chris Gratton (CLB)
Joel Lundqvist (DAL)
Anthony Stewart (FLA)
Derek Armstrong (LAK)
Tom Kostopoulos (MTL)
Scott Nichol (NSH)
Andy Hilbert (NYI)
Marcel Goc (SJS)
Dan Hinote (STL)
Matt Pettinger (TBL)

Defencemen:
Christian Backman (CLB)
Denis Gauthier (LAK)
Mathieu Dandenault (MTL)
Greg de Vries (NSH)
Ken Klee (PHX)
Alexei Semenov (SJS)
Jeff Woywitka (STL)

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You can add Chelios, Foster, Bouillon, Bonk and a lot of others to that list if you want. But these I think will be either to expensive or in Chelios case, I just don't want him...

de Vries/Woywitka/Pettinger/Yelle/Axelsson would all be nice additions IMO.

There are a lot of 3rd and 4th line UFAs out there. I'm not too worried.

Some more names to throw around...

Travis Moen
Manny Malhotra
Jiri Novotny
Dan Fritsche
Mike Sillinger
Michael Peca
Josh Green
Mike Grier
Stephane Veilleux
Mark Parrish
Brad May
Patrick Rissmiller
Dean McAmmond
Mike Zigomanis
Kris Newbury
Ryan Hollweg
Brian Willsie
Matt Ellis

As for d-man I agree DeVries would be a good fit...Klee looked very slow in his brief Ducks tenure, no thanks...

some more names:

Nick Boynton
Paul Mara
Kyle McLaren
Shane Hnidy (not bad as a 6th/7th d-man)
Andrew Alberts
Rob Davison (as 7th d-man)
Steve Eminger
Brendan Bell
Ole-Kristian Tollefsen
Dennis Seidenberg

Beauchemin or Derek Morris in the 3 to 3.5 mil range would be ideal though.

As for d-man I agree DeVries would be a good fit...Klee looked very slow in his brief Ducks tenure, no thanks...

some more names:

Nick Boynton
Paul Mara
Kyle McLaren
Shane Hnidy (not bad as a 6th/7th d-man)
Andrew Alberts
Rob Davison (as 7th d-man)
Steve Eminger
Brendan Bell
Ole-Kristian Tollefsen
Dennis Seidenberg

Beauchemin or Derek Morris in the 3 to 3.5 mil range would be ideal though.

True that it would be ideal but beauch wants between 4-5 lol..

There is some pretty bad players on those lists, I wonder which ones won't get picked up at all.

Moen for obvious reasons his work ethic is amazing always working hard especially last while special Nieds flop around and sammy wasn't playing his best. If we got him back the trade with San Jose would turn out to be an absolute steal. Suck it Sharks.

Mike Grier would be a great addition but at a fair price.

Derek Armstrong- the Line of Grier-Armstrong-Parros I'd lay down in the fetal position on the ice. I know we are moving away from the tough image but we need one like to give it to Datsuyk.

Resign Marchant and Nieds but only if Nieds is cheap.

All in all none of these will happen becuase I suck at getting what i want but it would be pretty sweet.

I'd really like to see Moen return. He's still fairly young, he's everything you want in a third line left winger, and I'm guessing that he liked it here. If the price is right, I'd hit that.

As for defensemen, what about Jay McKee? I thought he was pretty solid last year for St.Louis(although not at that price) and I'm guessing he's not looking for big bucks. IMO he's a perfect pair with Whitney, a big physical defensive defenseman, leaving Wiz to go on pairing 1 with Nieds and Sbisa and whoever on the 3rd pairing. Again, if he can be had in the $1.5-2.5 million range, I think that'd be a good deal.

Malhotra would be ideal if Marchant didn't resign. He'll probably be out of our price range though, especially with the offensive numbers he put up last year.

Malhotra would be ideal if Marchant didn't resign. He'll probably be out of our price range though, especially with the offensive numbers he put up last year.

Malhotra could also be given a try for the second line. After Brassard went down for the Blue Jackets, Malhotra spent some time playing with Nash and Huselius and really did a decent job playing with those skilled guys. So he would be an option to throw in there but still had value if that spot did not work out for him...

Malhotra could also be given a try for the second line. After Brassard went down for the Blue Jackets, Malhotra spent some time playing with Nash and Huselius and really did a decent job playing with those skilled guys. So he would be an option to throw in there but still had value if that spot did not work out for him...
Yeah some versatility would be nice for our team. If they lose Marchant (and after Kunitz), they are losing a guy who could be plugged in and be near-serviceable in any role.

That might be something nice to look for in a potential acquisition. But it should be a perk and not a major selling point. I'm a firm believer that a team succeeds when you have role players who know and excel in (and accept) their defined roles.

No more Samuelsson, signed with Vancouver. So now he goes from having his flops being defended by the #1 most intolerable fanbase to #2.

edit: whoops, wrong thread. Meant to be offseason thread.

What about Mark Bell at a low low price for a year? He can play LW and C. I know he's got baggage now, but is he worth a shot for dirt cheap? Bates Battaglia (again, for cheap) could be a useful 3rd line guy too.

As for d-man I agree DeVries would be a good fit...Klee looked very slow in his brief Ducks tenure, no thanks...

some more names:

Nick Boynton
Paul Mara
Kyle McLaren
Shane Hnidy (not bad as a 6th/7th d-man)
Andrew Alberts
Rob Davison (as 7th d-man)
Steve Eminger
Brendan Bell
Ole-Kristian Tollefsen
Dennis Seidenberg

Beauchemin or Derek Morris in the 3 to 3.5 mil range would be ideal though.

McLaren, Mara, Boynton, and Alberts are good ideas for a #4 stay-at-home d-man w/ size. Boynton can move as well.

McLaren, Mara, Boynton, and Alberts are good ideas for a #4 stay-at-home d-man w/ size. Boynton can move as well.

Mara or Boynton would be ideal provided they sign for market value.

What about Mark Bell at a low low price for a year? He can play LW and C. I know he's got baggage now, but is he worth a shot for dirt cheap? Bates Battaglia (again, for cheap) could be a useful 3rd line guy too.

DIdn't he go to jail? The kid is a headcase and I doubt any team want anything to do with him.

McLaren, Mara, Boynton, and Alberts are good ideas for a #4 stay-at-home d-man w/ size. Boynton can move as well.

Are you serious? He was in the AHL last year, and now you want him to be a top 4?

Are you serious? He was in the AHL last year, and now you want him to be a top 4?

They hid him in the AHL because of his contract and their salary cap problems. I'm sure he'd be willing to sign a 1 yr deal at 1 million or less to get back in the NHL. He isn't that old, I think he can still make an impact.

Another vote for Moen. :yo:

They hid him in the AHL because of his contract and their salary cap problems. I'm sure he'd be willing to sign a 1 yr deal at 1 million or less to get back in the NHL. He isn't that old, I think he can still make an impact.

He's still nothing but a bottom pairing guy though. People in San Jose were complaining about him most of the year, and if I'm not mistaken someone tried to claim him on waivers but it didn't happen because he failed his physical. I think there are better options out there. I'd rather just go with what we have then add him to the team.

I've been thinking about some backup plans for Beauchemin and Koivu, since I think it's pretty evident we aren't going to get both, if either one of them at all. What do you think about the following players?

Derek Morris- Solid top 4 guy. The problem is that he made 4 million last season, so I don't know if there would be much difference in his and Beauchemin's contract. If they make the same number, I'd go with Beauchemin over Morris.

Dennis Seidenberg- Here's an interesting guy. He only made 1.2 last year, and he's up for a raise for sure, but at how much? Could be decent backup plan for Beauchemin. Plus if we sign him, we'd have a better chance of landing Koivu as well.

Robert Lang- He made 4 million last year, which is obviously way to much, but he's turning 38 this year, and said he wants to play another year. He may sign cheap, and could be a good backup plan for Koivu.

Christian Backman- He made 3.4 last year, so he may to expensive. I'm not sure what he's asking for. However, he is what we need, another stay at home defensemen.

I've been thinking about some backup plans for Beauchemin and Koivu, since I think it's pretty evident we aren't going to get both, if either one of them at all. What do you think about the following players?

Derek Morris- Solid top 4 guy. The problem is that he made 4 million last season, so I don't know if there would be much difference in his and Beauchemin's contract. If they make the same number, I'd go with Beauchemin over Morris.

Dennis Seidenberg- Here's an interesting guy. He only made 1.2 last year, and he's up for a raise for sure, but at how much? Could be decent backup plan for Beauchemin. Plus if we sign him, we'd have a better chance of landing Koivu as well.

Robert Lang- He made 4 million last year, which is obviously way to much, but he's turning 38 this year, and said he wants to play another year. He may sign cheap, and could be a good backup plan for Koivu.

Christian Backman - He made 3.4 last year, so he may to expensive. I'm not sure what he's asking for. However, he is what we need, another stay at home defensemen.


Backman won't be asking for much, hasn't been good since playing with St. Louis. However, he didn't get much of a chance either with the Rags or the Jackets. Not exactly a stay at home defenceman, used to have great offensive upside but injuries ruined his development in that area, making him play a more defensive game to have a safe spot in the NHL. Has a booming slap shot, is mobile and moves the puck well out of his own zone.

Isn't physical on a regular basis though, but isn't awful in his own end because of that. Maybe not exactly what the Ducks should be looking for, but anyways, the Ducks needs a top 4 defenseman and Backman is a guy that can play 25 mins per game. Seidenberg and Morris will likely be out of the Ducks range in terms of salary, Lang I simply don't want.

Backman won't be asking for much, hasn't been good since playing with St. Louis. However, he didn't get much of a chance either with the Rags or the Jackets. Not exactly a stay at home defenceman, used to have great offensive upside but injuries ruined his development in that area, making him play a more defensive game to have a safe spot in the NHL. Has a booming slap shot, is mobile and moves the puck well out of his own zone.

Isn't physical on a regular basis though, but isn't awful in his own end because of that. Maybe not exactly what the Ducks should be looking for, but anyways, the Ducks needs a top 4 defenseman and Backman is a guy that can play 25 mins per game. Seidenberg and Morris will likely be out of the Ducks range in terms of salary, Lang I simply don't want.

I'd be interested to see what Seidenberg is asking for.

I've been drinking from the seidenberg koolaid for a long time now.

Woywitka signed a 2 year contract with the Stars. Not a good thing IMO, I see him possibly having a breakout year next, and no he's in our division and it's not on our team.

Hopefully the paycut of Marchant means the Ducks might actually get a guy like Morris or Boynton. Although, that might kill our chances of getting a proven 2nd line center...

If there is any big money left to spend it should be on a top 4 d-man like Morris.

Someone like Nichol could be added for 500 to 700K for the 4th line.

There's no money left to spend. The rest of the budget will probably go to Wisniewski new contract. Any addition help requires a trade and we don't have anyone to part with that can free up enough money. Once Wiz signs we're probably done.

There's no money left to spend. The rest of the budget will probably go to Wisniewski new contract. Any addition help requires a trade and we don't have anyone to part with that can free up enough money. Once Wiz signs we're probably done.

I disagree that we may not sign anyone else after Wisniewski. I have heard budget numbers of $46 and $50 million for the Ducks, but no one outside of the organization really knows the budget. Further, is the budget actual salaries rather than cap numbers, does it include or not include bonuses, and does it include or not include the dreaded Bertuzzi buy out number. My point is that there could be more money available than we think.

Further, I think that there are a number of players out there that may be willing to sign for significantly less than they initially requested. The available salaries for unsigned players is shrinking. Many teams are either near their self imposed budget or the salary cap and do not have the space or willingness to sign additional players. Further, some of the teams with money may be far less attractive to players than the Ducks, and thus a player may be willing to take less to go to a competitive team. What player really wants to go to Atlanta or Phoenix?

Based upon what he said at Select a Seat, I believe that this was Murray's strategy for the summer. He is exercising patience in order to try to find a bargin or two to add to the team. Who would have thought two weeks ago that the Ducks would have signed Marchant for $1.125 million per year?

While Murray may be willing to go with the team that we have, I think, as do many others, that he is looking for a #4/5 defenseman and a second line center. I would put the priority on the defenseman, since I feel uneasy playing with three inexperienced defensement in our top seven.

Once Wiz signs we're probably done.

If this is true then we'll struggle to make the playoffs. Acquiring Lupul and Sbisa doesn't come close to offsetting the loses of Pronger and Beauchemin.

I disagree that we may not sign anyone else after Wisniewski. I have heard budget numbers of $46 and $50 million for the Ducks, but no one outside of the organization really knows the budget. Further, is the budget actual salaries rather than cap numbers, does it include or not include bonuses, and does it include or not include the dreaded Bertuzzi buy out number. My point is that there could be more money available than we think.

Further, I think that there are a number of players out there that may be willing to sign for significantly less than they initially requested. The available salaries for unsigned players is shrinking. Many teams are either near their self imposed budget or the salary cap and do not have the space or willingness to sign additional players. Further, some of the teams with money may be far less attractive to players than the Ducks, and thus a player may be willing to take less to go to a competitive team. What player really wants to go to Atlanta or Phoenix?

Based upon what he said at Select a Seat, I believe that this was Murray's strategy for the summer. He is exercising patience in order to try to find a bargin or two to add to the team. Who would have thought two weeks ago that the Ducks would have signed Marchant for $1.125 million per year?

While Murray may be willing to go with the team that we have, I think, as do many others, that he is looking for a #4/5 defenseman and a second line center. I would put the priority on the defenseman, since I feel uneasy playing with three inexperienced defensement in our top seven.

By my numbers we have 21 players under contract that either will play next season or will have someone in their place that makes the same amount of money (i.e. 6/7 d-men Mikkelson and Salcido, 4th liners Carter, Miller etc) to sum of 43.715 of actual money spent according to nhlnumbers.com. Add in Bertuzzi's buyout and that becomes 45.045 without any bonuses added in which are very applicable because the Ducks are more concerned about actual dollars spent rather than cap space. Even if the budget is 46-50 mil that leaves between 1-4 mil to sign Wiz alone which gives us a roster of 22 which what we'll probably go with.

I really don't see how we can fit in any more players without trading a major piece. Most of us may not like our D right now but we can't afford a top-4 D-man. Most of us don't like the notion of Ebbett or Marchant or Carter or Christensen as our second line center but we can't afford a replacement. Free agency is not where we are going to make any upgrades and the only player we can spare is Jiggy and he has a no-trade clause.

If this is true then we'll struggle to make the playoffs. Acquiring Lupul and Sbisa doesn't come close to offsetting the loses of Pronger and Beauchemin.

It is a downgrade yes but we still have a damn good team. It won't be quite as good as the team in May but it'll be a hell of a lot better than the team we had from October-March. Sbisa is being highly underrated by us Ducks fans and the addition of Lupul gives us extra scoring pressence which we desperately need. Plus Getzy, Perry and particularly Ryan are all still improving. Not too mention Jiggy had an off-year and a tandem of him and Hiller should be the best we've ever had. I'm not at all discouraged by our roster currently.

It is a downgrade yes but we still have a damn good team. It won't be quite as good as the team in May but it'll be a hell of a lot better than the team we had from October-March. Sbisa is being highly underrated by us Ducks fans and the addition of Lupul gives us extra scoring pressence which we desperately need. Plus Getzy, Perry and particularly Ryan are all still improving. Not too mention Jiggy had an off-year and a tandem of him and Hiller should be the best we've ever had. I'm not at all discouraged by our roster currently.
Lupul could give us extra scoring in the right situation, but he cannot create scoring chances. Who's going to feed him the puck so he can score? Ebbett doesn't seem to pass too well. Christensen christensucks. What else do we have?

Lupul could give us extra scoring in the right situation, but he cannot create scoring chances. Who's going to feed him the puck so he can score? Ebbett doesn't seem to pass too well. Christensen christensucks. What else do we have?

Lupul was able to score 28 goals with Todd Marchant as his most frequent center in 06. I think he'd do fine with Ebbett and Selanne. Centers aren't the only ones dishing the puck either. Or he can line up with Getzlaf and Perry and Bobby can play with Ebbet and Teemu.

Lupul could give us extra scoring in the right situation, but he cannot create scoring chances. Who's going to feed him the puck so he can score? Ebbett doesn't seem to pass too well. Christensen christensucks. What else do we have?

I think you're vastly underestimating Lupul. He's no Ryan or Getzlaf, but good goal scorers know how to get into goal-scoring position regardless of who they're playing with. You could throw him with Brown and Marchant and I bet he'd score 20. It'd be nice to have a pure set up guy with him, but he'll score regardless of who's with him. Its just a matter of what the line does outside of the offensive zone.

Lupul was able to score 28 goals with Todd Marchant as his most frequent center in 06. I think he'd do fine with Ebbett and Selanne. Centers aren't the only ones dishing the puck either. Or he can line up with Getzlaf and Perry and Bobby can play with Ebbet and Teemu.
Just for fun, I wanted to play that out. 28 goals. I'll take away the 12 PP goals, 1 SH goal and 1 EN goal. The PP goals were largely a product of being on #1 PP (Selanne was the largest contributor), and thus I don't think they give us a view of his ability to provide secondary scoring.

Of the 13 ES goals left, there's 20 total assists. Marchant is the most common assistor, with 6 (3 primary). Getzlaf (1), Hedstrom (2), Kunitz (2), and Indecisivemayer (1) tie for 2nd with 2 assists.

It seems OK I guess. Not good, but passable. Perhaps we aren't totally ****ed.
I think you're vastly underestimating Lupul. He's no Ryan or Getzlaf, but good goal scorers know how to get into goal-scoring position regardless of who they're playing with. You could throw him with Brown and Marchant and I bet he'd score 20. It'd be nice to have a pure set up guy with him, but he'll score regardless of who's with him. Its just a matter of what the line does outside of the offensive zone.
Maybe so. I'm sure he can get into position like you say. I'm just wondering if we have people who can feed him when he's in position, or will he have just wasted that energy for nothing. Although Getzlaf probably would work well, meaning QP may or may not be able to anchor the 2nd line with Selanne.

Lupul could give us extra scoring in the right situation, but he cannot create scoring chances. Who's going to feed him the puck so he can score? Ebbett doesn't seem to pass too well. Christensen christensucks. What else do we have?

I think Ryan will be with Selanne and Ebbett. Lupul has the perfect center for him on our team, Getzlaf. Getzy is the guy that will draw numerous defenders toward him, and dish it to Lupul to use his best attribute, his shot.

I don't agree with the enthusiasm that some are with our current roster though. Sbisa may be great, but Carlyle will not give him that load early in the season. Festerling or Brookbank will get first cracks at the spot, and that is news for disaster IMO. If we do not add another defender, we will be lucky to get 8th in the west at best. With out Pronger, our bottom pairing will have to play more, and that along with Brookbank or Festerling getting top 4 minutes will kill our chances. I love the Marchant signing, but if that is the last signing we do, except for Wiz, then Murray is an idiot. Beauchemin should have been more of a priority then Marchant. We need another defensemen to be succeed. Whether it's Boynton, Morris, or Seidenberg, we need someone who can play in the top 4 and not be a liability.

Lupul - Getzlaf - Perry
Ryan - Ebbett - Selanne

that might work better... But you should keep in mind that Lupul many times was set up from Todd Marchant, so I don't see why Ebbett shouldn't be able to feed him just as well. Christensen is a good passer, but a line with Lupul - Christensen - Selanne would be awful defensively. We have made the playoffs without Pronger before, it's not like you actually need 2 Norris Trophy Winners on the blueline to make the PO's, it's just something that we have been fortunate to have over the last 3 years.

We have made the playoffs without Pronger before, it's not like you actually need 2 Norris Trophy Winners on the blueline to make the PO's, it's just something that we have been fortunate to have over the last 3 years.

In 2005-06 before we acquired Pronger we had a far deeper defense than we do now; Niedermayer, Beauchemin, Salei, O'Donnell, Vishnevsky and Dipenta is a better defense than our current top 6. Carlyle also had the luxury of rolling three scoring lines and a checking line that year, right now he barely has 2 scoring lines and a checking line at his disposal.

In 2005-06 before we acquired Pronger we had a far deeper defense than we do now; Niedermayer, Beauchemin, Salei, O'Donnell, Vishnevsky and Dipenta is a better defense than our current top 6. Carlyle also had the luxury of rolling three scoring lines and a checking line that year, right now he barely has 2 scoring lines and a checking line at his disposal.

Yes I agree, and I do think we need to add another defenseman and another forward. But people seem to think we can't make the playoffs just for missing Pronger.

jay mckee seems like the type of solution Murray would go for on defense. cheap.

i wouldnt be against a 1 year deal for him.

The more I think about it, the more I think we should add a vet checker. We can't have vets for all the spots, so we have to gamble that a young guy will be able to fill an important role. The team doesn't have the budget to be perfect.

On one hand, we don't really have many viable offensive prospects. On the other hand, I feel like in general it's more likely that a young guy will surprise everybody with a good offensive season than a good defensive season. And we do have some possible defense prospects who might step in.

By my numbers we have 21 players under contract that either will play next season or will have someone in their place that makes the same amount of money (i.e. 6/7 d-men Mikkelson and Salcido, 4th liners Carter, Miller etc) to sum of 43.715 of actual money spent according to nhlnumbers.com. Add in Bertuzzi's buyout and that becomes 45.045 without any bonuses added in which are very applicable because the Ducks are more concerned about actual dollars spent rather than cap space. Even if the budget is 46-50 mil that leaves between 1-4 mil to sign Wiz alone which gives us a roster of 22 which what we'll probably go with.

I really don't see how we can fit in any more players without trading a major piece. Most of us may not like our D right now but we can't afford a top-4 D-man. Most of us don't like the notion of Ebbett or Marchant or Carter or Christensen as our second line center but we can't afford a replacement. Free agency is not where we are going to make any upgrades and the only player we can spare is Jiggy and he has a no-trade clause.

I agree with your analysis with one exceptions. I believe that Murray might be willing to spend up to $1.5 million or so on a #4 defenseman. The net cost of this to the team would be just under $1 million after sending one of the young defensemen back to the AHL. I don't see the Ducks signing Koivu unless the budget is well above the numbers that we have been discussing.

I feel that Murray is willing to play a waiting game on another signing, possibly even until part of the way through training camp. I think that he feels that the closer we get to the season without contracts for some players, the less competition there will be for them and the cheaper they will sign. I have attached a link to the cap crunch page of Cap Geek to show how many of the other teams already are close to the cap and/or don't have a lot of money for additional signings of free agents.

http://www.capgeek.com/cap_crunch.php

For those of us that were wanting Murray to resign Moen, he signed a three year contract with Montreal today. Good to see him rewarded, and I'm glad he won't be in the west the next three years.

The more I think about it, the more I think we should add a vet checker. We can't have vets for all the spots, so we have to gamble that a young guy will be able to fill an important role. The team doesn't have the budget to be perfect.

On one hand, we don't really have many viable offensive prospects. On the other hand, I feel like in general it's more likely that a young guy will surprise everybody with a good offensive season than a good defensive season. And we do have some possible defense prospects who might step in.

Cheesymc came up with an idea of re-acquiring Smid from the Oil. He's young (202 games played) and has ability to play in the top 4 a la Wiz. The only catch is that Smid is a RFA. A mid-round draft pick for him? I dunno... just throwing it out there.

I'd offer 2 of Christensen/Miller/Bookbank/Festerling/Mikkelson.

I think we need to create roster space before acquiring someone else. I'm all for creating competition but when 5 guys are competing for 1 or 2 spots thats not healthy either.