When the Anaheim Ducks struggled early in the 2011-12 campaign, trade rumors started to fly. For a time, it seemed plausible that the Ducks might conduct a fire sale.
Even after the season ended, Bobby Ryan‘s name has still frequently come up, and earlier this summer, Ryan publicly expressed his frustration.
Perhaps Ryan will get traded before the start of the 2012-13 campaign, but that alone wouldn’t be the end of the potential turmoil in Anaheim.
Teemu Selanne can’t play forever, the Ducks have a severe lack of offensive depth, and both Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next summer. The Ducks want to re-sign them, but who wouldn’t?
If Perry and Getzlaf want to, they can simply play out the final season of their respective contracts and then get top dollar with almost any club in the league. There will probably even be a few squads that will be more than eager to offer them matching contracts in the same vein as what the Minnesota Wild did with Ryan Suter and Zach Parise.
Why would they leave Anaheim? Well, they might not. They might be comfortable and just want nice, long contracts complete with no-trade clauses. Maybe they’ll even be motivated by the possibility of the next CBA altering the way long-term contracts work.
However, it’s typically easier for a winning franchise to convince their talented players to stay. Over the last three seasons, Anaheim has failed to make the playoffs twice and has lost in the first round.
They need a strong season to prove to players inside and outside the organization that the Ducks are still moving in the right track. Otherwise, this team might look very different in 2013-14
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Kunitz likely, Morrow unlikely for Pens in Game 5 vs. Sens
May 24, 2013, 7:01 PM EDT
AP
Dan Bylsma sticking with the same lineup.
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Kevin Prendergast (pictured) and longtime NHL netminder Ron Tugnutt were let go.
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AP
“The NHL remains committed to securing the Coyotes’ future in Glendale under new ownership, and we believe Don’s long-term agreement evidences that he is equally committed,” said the deputy commish.
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McLellan: Burish ‘very close,’ could be in Sharks lineup for Game 6
May 24, 2013, 4:28 PM EDT
He’s missed the entire series with a broken hand.
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Craig MacTavish has a few things he’d like in return.
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AP
“Hopefully, we’ll find that chemistry,” says Spezza.
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Preds continue to shake up staff, fire head athletic trainer
May 24, 2013, 3:14 PM EDT
Just a few days after turfing assistant coach Peter Horachek.
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Aside from, you know, facing elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs.
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Getty Images
Chin up, rookie.
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Say hello to Curtis McElhinney.
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AP
Torts not expected to make any lineup changes.
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Rangers’ blueliner saw plenty of action in Game 4, though.
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Lightning say Lacroix won’t return as assistant coach next season
May 24, 2013, 1:12 PM EDT
He was Guy Boucher’s right-hand man, so no huge surprise.
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Pens’ Dupuis on Alfredsson remarks: I don’t see Crosby talking like that
May 24, 2013, 12:59 PM EDT
The postgame comment that just won’t go away.
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AP
The Red Wings’ star may go back to Russia after next season.
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Back in Vegas next year.
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Getty Images
Rare criticism for the Blackhawks’ captain.
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SKA Saint Petersburg would be the club.
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AP
“(He’s) a hell of a hockey player.”
