Keep this "Big 3" together
The Anaheim Ducks have had a lot of positives this off-season, but one very bad negative still lingers.
The Ducks have signed free agents Bryan Allen and Sheldon Souray, both defenders, both to three-year deals. Allen will earn 10.5 million while Souray will earn 11 million. While I'm not a fan of the Ducks burning roughly 6 million of their cap for this year, they needed defenseman to compliment Cam Fowler, and they got it. Both Allen and Souray are ranked in the top 30 of CBS Sportsline.com 2012 NHL Free Agents (Allen #16, Souray #27). The Ducks were looking at Suter, but weren't as committed as Minnesota was to paying him. Other top defenseman were signed up before the Ducks had a chance, and both Allen and Souray are veteran at the D position and will compliment Fowler well. With the promised return of points leader Teemu Selanne, the Ducks have one less worry about filling an offensive and scoring hole on their team.
The one cloud hanging over the Ducks since the draft has been Bobby Ryan. Visibly upset with the team, and was someone who was a hot trade talk subject on draft day, Ryan stayed with the Ducks, but isn't very happy. He isn't pleased with how the team has been progressing, and wishes to be a greater part of the team, otherwise he wants out. The Ottawa Senators, along with the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning are thought to have interest in Bobby Ryan. Any of these teams could use the young forward, but it would take an even trade of talent or prospects for the Ducks to part with one of the “Big 3” (Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan). Ducks need to clear cap to sign Perry and Getzlaf, and this year would be better than next when they become free agents.
The Ducks have many holes sown up from their team last year. The goalie position has been fortified with Viktor Fasth backing up Jonas Hiller. Teemu is back for most likely his last season, Koivu is back for the same as Selanne, Cam Fowler has seasoned help in the back of the rink, the only problem is Bobby Ryan. Trade for Rick Nash? Trade him to any of the teams listed above? Hang onto him until the trade deadline and trade him then? Or maybe Ryan can become a more critical part of the offense and he can once again be happy to be in California?
I'm hoping for the last one. I want this Ducks team ready for a new-looking NHL in 2012-2013 as we begin Conference play and not Division play.
pic found here Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan
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