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Ducks to revisit trading for Kesler?

Minnesota Wild v Vancouver Canucks

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 28: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks is pictured while playing against the Minnesota Wild during the second period of their NHL game at Rogers Arena on February 28, 2014 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Ben Nelms/Getty Images)

Ben Nelms

Interesting tidbit here from the L.A. Times on Anaheim GM Bob Murray’s plans for the offseason:

Murray said he might revisit his trade-deadline attempt to acquire Vancouver center Ryan Kesler, or pursue other upgrades.

“I don’t think I’ll offer as much as I did at the trade deadline,” Murray said, without naming Kesler. “There’s [other] things I might like to do and I would spend — I’m deep enough in players — to do so.”

Following the deadline, Murray essentially confirmed the club’s interest in Kesler, saying he put both of his first-round selections at the draft in play -- which would later turn into the No. 10 and 24 picks overall -- and was “confused” as to why he came away empty-handed.

At the time, Anaheim was keen to add to the center group of Ryan Getzlaf, Nick Bonino, Mathieu Perreault, Saku Koivu and Rickard Rakell. With Koivu now uncertain to return, the need to add centers remains -- and what’s more, both Murray and Ducks players suggested roster shortcomings cost them this postseason.

“Obviously, we’re missing a little bit of something,” Andrew Cogliano told the Times.

“We’re not as close as everyone thought we were,” Murray added.

Which brings us back to Kesler.

There’s no denying the Ducks were angling for something at the deadline -- Murray shipped out Dustin Penner and Viktor Fasth in what appeared to be cap-clearing moves -- and, after failing to land the Vancouver center, players spoke openly about the opportunity missed.

“You think about it for sure because you hear the rumors and you hear people talking about it,” Cogliano said on Mar. 31, per the O.C. Register (paywall). “I think you envision a little bit of a scenario if he did come.”

“When you get those kinds of rumors and the opportunities that a guy like Kesler is available, you get pretty excited,” Teemu Selanne added.

The lingering issue here is the value of Murray’s offer. He thinks it’s high -- evident by the fact he plans to offer less this summer -- whereas the feeling around the league is that two first-round picks (both outside the top five) in a relatively weak draft isn’t enough to land Kesler, a former 40-goal scorer and Selke winner.

Murray will also contend that at the deadline, he was getting Kesler for at least three postseasons (he’s under contract ‘til 2016) whereas now he’d only be guaranteed two.

It’s also worth noting that another talented center -- Ottawa captain Jason Spezza -- is believed to be available via trade, and that Anaheim is reportedly interested.