BombaysTripleDeke

I think delusion is probably more accurate lol. I know he thinks that defensemen should be able to play either side but that’s usually not the case. It just seems too flippant to assume that a player just can switch sides after years of conditioning, handling the puck and positioning habits on a certain side and be as effective. I’ve thought about moving Fowler and keeping Lindholm. If I had to choose one to keep, I agree in keeping Lindholm just based on him being younger and better overall. I just think that Fowler is going to be harder to move since he has a 4-team trade list that he submits each year which can almost act like a full NTC and that he could likely have to sign off on being traded. Also, I think that the Ducks just have an affinity for Fowler and want to see him being a lifelong Duck and setting all the franchise records for defensemen. Giving him that 8-year deal seems like they are hoping that will be the case, even after the trade rumors a couple of years back. So, I’d be surprised if they moved on from him within the next 2 years. Fowler’s got cost certainty for 6 more years and Lindholm’s value is dependent on how much term would be left on his contract. So, I don’t think the Ducks can wait too long if they want to get a quality return, particularly if Lindholm is the one getting shipped. Also, what could Fowler fetch in a return? Seems tough to ballpark given all things considered.

The Montour trade was the most surprising though because Murray moved a top-4 RHD when we had no real quality depth on that side (Welinski, Dotchin) and he was still going to be under team control after his current contract. I think the rebuild and Lindholm’s contract would be the driving factors that jettison him. To me, his hold out just stresses that he’s likely going to want more money that Murray would otherwise want to pay him, assuming he wants to re-sign. If the Ducks were contending then, I’d surely agree with you that the hold out is less relevant because he’s a top defensemen.

I would definitely be in favor of the competition route if Lindholm wasn’t going to be a UFA in two years. I think he’s the best defender that the Ducks have and will be in line to make more money than Fowler on his next contract. He’ll be 29 the first season it kicks in. If Lindholm was 3-4 years younger then it’s a no-brainer that you keep him and let the competition rage on. To me, the Ducks don’t have that luxury with them rebuilding and needing quality assets at other positions. I think that Lindholm is primed to be a casualty for that reason. Plus, their two highest ceiling defensive prospects are Thrun and LaCombe, IMO, who also are LHD. Lindholm also held out prior to signing his current deal and may want out of town given that the Ducks aren’t a perennial playoff team and may not be one for a while. Recently, Murray also doesn’t seem to keep players who hold out or go to arbitration (I.e. Ritchie, Montour). So, it’s those other factors as to why I think Lindholm is going to be moved at some point. The Ducks would be forced since he’d be more valuable long-term to the Ducks being traded then he would be if he stays. It’s certainly not an optimal situation as far as putting young, unproven guys into roles that they may ultimately not be suited for.

That’s the question. I think moving Lindholm would create quite a competition for those spots in the lineup. Like you said, they have too many bodies back there and something has to give. Mahura has only 28 NHL games and I thought he deserved more than the 11 he got this season. Especially, after seeing Larsson and Guhle struggle so much. Theodore played 53 games in Anaheim before going to Vegas and don’t want a possible repeat of getting rid of a guy too early at his age. Good point on the waivers exemption and that Murray can’t just put him on the beach liner to SD every other day.

Yeah, I think it’s more just their contract situations, and that the Ducks are rebuilding that could get them both traded. My question is what their values would be and if Murray could get good enough returns. The ED could fast track that just a bit. We have too many LHD plus guys like Thrun and Lacombe in the pipeline. Get good picks/young prospects to sync up with younger players that will hopefully turn into a solid foundation for sustained success. Too bad we wasted our re-tread on Randy, should have brought back Burkie!!

Maybe he’s planning to rig the draft lottery in our favor this year in lieu of of hosting a draft or all-star game! I’ll take that lol. I think that the Ducks will be fine when it comes to having players to expose for the expansion requirement. Larsson needs just 10 games and Nicky D needs 11 assuming the threshold isn’t lowered due to the shortened season. They only need one more forward to expose in that scenario, such as Henrique, to be compliant. On defense, it gets murky, but Djoos isn’t under contract after this year (RFA) and if the Ducks still believe that Mahura is going to be part of the future then I’d be surprised if they risk losing another young, LHD prospect to an expansion team. If that’s the case then I think the case is even stronger for Lindholm getting shipped out of town, same with Manson especially if they decide to re-sign Gudbranson. I’m not opposed to those happening just that Murray is the one ultimately making these huge decisions.

Yeah, Murray has put the Ducks in a position to at least make the playoffs and have a couple of competitive runs for most of his tenure. He does deserve credit for that. I think the huge difference from 2012 is that he doesn’t have two all-world players in their primes rely on and now actually has to go through the pains of getting them and rebuilding the team. Agreed. Or if the other 3 defensemen are insanely good like when Chicago had Keith, Seabrook and Hjarlmasson Lol.

I actually forgot about Hakanpaa lol. Makes sense that Murray is going to see if he can be a suitable on the right side. Still think it is a gigantic IF that's he becomes a viable multi-year option but there's no risk to it. I don't see the Ducks keeping both Manson and Gudbranson going forward though. Don't think Murray will spend money on both and if Manson can fetch a nice return then all the better. I'm just anxious to see who gets shipped out. I think that the Kings have the assets to accelerate their rebuild quite a bit next year and that they will be aggressive in the offseason. If they continue to struggle then I think Carter and/or Quick could get moved but I'd be surprised if they sit back again and not try to make another run with Kopitar, Doughty and Brown while they still can. They also won their last 7 games before their season ended 😕 Toronto doesn't have their first round pick this year which would be a must for me (or 2021's 1st) if we are giving up Manson unless perhaps we get Nylander.

Yeah, he's signed through next season and it's possible the Ducks could re-sign him, especially given the lack of RHD. His game picked up as the season went along but then got hurt and he was out for the last month of the season. So, I think that plays into it. Money won't be an issue as the Ducks should have more than enough cap space going forward ($37 mil in 2021 as of now). I think a lot hinges on not only how well the team plays but also whether they are able to draft Drysdale. If Gudbranson is playing well next year and the Ducks are still out of the playoff picture then I think he's an easy TDL candidate, but then again so could any number of players lol.

The only players of note that need new contracts are Terry, Milano and Larsson, all of whom are RFA's. Only Milano has arbitration rights and none of them are going to command major money and the Ducks have just over $8 mil in cap space for next season. Not sure when free agency is going to occur, but the Ducks added to their LHD recently by signing Kodie Curran. I think the bigger question is going to be who Murray is likely to trade. The LHD spot currently has Lindholm, Fowler, Djoos, Larsson, Guhle, Mahura, Benoit and Curran. Personally, I'd be much more willing to take a swing on a Pietrangelo or even Tyson Barrie if the Ducks were closer to contending or at least had established the next core wave of players. Without that foundation in place first, I don't think you can ultimately build a championship team. The young guys struggled for the most part last year and Zegras still hasn't even played a pro game. We should land another very good player (fingers crossed for a lottery pick) this year but still need more blue chip, high ceiling prospects more than anything, IMO. If Murray is under a mandate to try and get the team back in the playoffs next year then adding, say Pietrangelo, and then trading Lindholm to bring in competent scorer would be a route to go. If Murray wants to make a noticeable UFA move this offseason, then I'd kick the tires on Byfuglien or Shattenkirk (again). Both guys would be instant boosts to the PP if nothing else and shouldn't be outrageously expensive in term or money.

I can't find a link to the audio but the transcript is available on the Ducks reddit feed. There's quite a bit to unpack but it's not much different to what he's said the last couple of seasons. It's not confidence inspiring, IMO.

Anyone else hear Murray’s comments yesterday? He‘s managed to simultaneously drive the bus he throws people under now.

Ducks add another LHD Swede from the SHL, Kodie Curran. 2 years, $1 mil AAV. Murray's going to have such an itchy trading finger this offseason.

Yeah, it was obviously a great roster but the Ducks got within a game of the SCF in 2015 without that level of HOF talent. We just need significantly more than what we currently have which is why this year's draft, and probably next year's, are going to be crucial for the organization going forward.

Yeah, it’s the old version as far as that goes except we just won’t know who the last 8 teams are or their slot when the lottery happens. Ottawa lost in OT of game 7 of the 2017 ECF to Pittsburgh, the same year we lost in the WCF. They have a pretty solid pool right now and adding two top-6 picks, especially if they get a top-2, is going to be massive for them. The Ducks really need that kind of influx of high-end prospects because I don’t see us walking over teams anytime soon lol.

Yeah, it’s weird but I like it better than what was originally proposed even though the Ducks could fall to 8th in the draft. At least we have a date on the calendar to be excited for and hopefully really excited after the lottery. Ottawa is guaranteed two top-6 picks now.

My hunch is that Murray is going to ultimately take Holtz, since I thinkOttawa (since they have that additional SJ pick) or even LA taking Drysdale before us. Murray also said that he's targeting shooters in the draft and Holtz is this year's consensus top sniper. Plus, the idea of pairing Holtz with a pure passing playmaker like Zegras just makes it seem more likely that Holtz would be the guy. If that's the route Murray goes, then it makes a ton of sense and hopefully we have our next dynamic duo. Though, the more I hear about Marco Rossi, the more I want this guy to be a Duck lol.

Looks like Kesler was the winner of a brand new artificial hip.

Yeah, I think that the Ducks need goal scoring more than they need defense (which is saying something), though I'd still bet my last dollar that Murray takes Drysdale if he's on the board and the Ducks don't get a lottery pick. Can't really blame Murray for thinking he'd be the BPA though. If not Drysdale, they will have really good options of guys like Holtz, Raymond, Rossi to choose from if they are drafting in the 5-7 range. With the Ducks having too many LHD's on the roster as well as in the system, I'd be surprised if either Fowler or Lindholm aren't moved within the next two seasons. I'm not entirely sold on Manson being re-signed, especially if the Ducks are still clearly in a rebuild which is a very real possibility for the near future. I'm hoping the Ducks can add some additional 1st and 2nd round picks in the upcoming draft or in 2021.

I think having the draft before the season is over/cancelled makes no sense, especially with the impact it could have on teams making trades. As far as the draft lottery, the Ducks don't fare that badly as they would get either the 1st, 5th or 6th pick if the league goes through with its current proposal. What is complete BS is that Detroit would be gifted either Lafreniere or Byfield. If the Ducks were in Detroit's position, then I doubt the draft proposal would favor them to the same extent. Ottawa fans should be floored as well since they have the additional San Jose's pick.

As if things aren’t bad enough, Ducks 2019, 6th round draft pick Will Francis has been diagnosed with leukemia.

It’s more like getting the highest possible guy on our list. If that happens to be the guy LA wanted then that’s just an added bonus, assuming we would want the same player. I’d rather us be in that position than the other way around. Especially, if it’s in the top-2. LA is already going to add another really good player to their already loaded system. If LA wins the draft lottery and we don’t then I think the gulf between them and the Ducks widens even more going forward. God forbid they get Lafreniere.

I’m really crossing my fingers for the draft lottery and the draft. Getting a top-2 pick would be massive, and Lafreniere would be an franchise changer. Elliotte Friedman brought up the point that historically, the talent drop off after the top two picks is noticeable. Whoever we draft is likely at least a year out from playing on the Ducks under the best case scenario. Yeah, the 4th line has been fine and it appears Grant was holding back Delausiers all this time! I think that lineup needs more scoring on it. I don’t see the PP significantly improving with that group. yeah, if Steel ends up being a 3C then that’s still fine but him and Lundestrom are then likely battling for the same spot. Steel has had flashes of being very good but more often than not, he’s invisible on the ice. He needs to make a noticeable jump next season. If the Ducks fall out of the top-5 then I think there’s a chance that they miss out in Raymond, Holtz and even Drysdale who are all guys I’d like a chance at taking. Yeah, you’re ultimately at the mercy of those stupid ping pong balls. I’d settle for just drafting ahead of LA lol.

Agreed. The Ducks just don’t make sense right now. 5 goals on 15 shots with Miller playing well on top of getting every conceivable bounce last night. It’s just funny that Murray wants a high draft pick and the circumstances are perfect for them to get a top-5 pick yet they are playing themselves out of it.

Traded Ritchie and Kase and with pretty much the entire top-4 and Gibson now hurt. The team is winning just to spite Murray at this point lol.