When the Anaheim Ducks traded away Andrew Cogliano this morning to the Dallas Stars, many took it as a sign that the team was looking to break up the core group and move in a different direction. That was understandable given their recent lack of success, so it was easy to look at the roster and expect a pending unrestricted free agent like Jakob Silfverberg to be next on the chopping block. Not so fast apparently, as Ducks GM Bob Murray told Craig Custance of The Athletic that the team would “take another crack” at signing Silfverberg to an extension.
Silfverberg, 28, is in fact one of the few pending unrestricted free agents the Ducks have on the roster this season, and perhaps the one that would draw the most interest near the trade deadline. The two-way winger has consistently performed for the Ducks since being acquired from the Ottawa Senators as part of the Bobby Ryan trade back in 2013, and actually leads the team in goals this season with 12. That kind of reliable performance would be coveted by many teams, especially ones looking for right-handed help at forward. He only carries a $3.75MM cap hit and can fit into several different roles.
That flexibility and consistency could very well be why the Ducks want to retain Silfverberg though, as the team does not appear to be ready for a true rebuild. With Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry still under contract for the next three years, Anaheim will likely try to retool things and take another run next season. If they truly believe Silfverberg is part of the solution and not the problem, re-signing him during a relatively down year could potentially be a bargain for the team. For the player, there could be a glut of players just like Silfverberg on the market this summer driving his price down. If he’s comfortable in Anaheim perhaps something can be done over the next few weeks—if not, you can bet he’ll be pulling on another team’s sweater in late February.
This is classic BM politicking. He’s trying to drive the cost up because he knows he can’t afford Silf next year unless he stays right around the same salary he has now.
Well the ducks saved 1 million in the Cogliano-Shore trade… Fowler, Manson, Lindholm, Montour, Getzlaf, Perry, Kesler, Henrique, Ritchie, Kase, and Gibson are gonna be making about the same amount as they did this year. Miller is off the books as well. So theoretically, the ducks can give Silfverberg and 1 Million raise, and depending on the cost of next years backup goalie, that savings could go to Silfverberg. In addition, I’d expect the Ducks to buyout Kesler, which would save a few million. The ducks are fine payroll wise, the problem is they are stuck with Perry’s and Kesler contract unless of a buyout.
On a side note, they could move Henrique’s contract, as I think he’s a problem. He can be replaced by Sam Steel or Sam Carrick, or Carter Rowney can move up a line.
“Retool things and take another run.”
You’ve had ten years of runs. You have surrounded 15 and 10 with B level talent at best. (You remember the Jonas Hiller contract,right?)
Your PA announcer thinks he’s a soccer guy and Dawn the anthem singer sings like she’s double parked.
Seriously one of the wealthiest organizations in sports that is run on the cheap.
Don’t really understand this comment. They were close to a Stanley cup finals appearance but lost to Chicago with this core. It didn’t work out. They had to pay them to stay and Kessler and Perry fell off drastically. That’s what happens with age. Need to retool and hope for the best. If they can dump Kes and Perry great but that’s not likely. As long as Getzlaf is there they have a bonafide #1 center and that’s a rare commodity in the league. They need their AHL guys and Comtois to come good next year to have a chance.
sheff86, you’re spot-on about Dawn Wright. She’s been off in the weeds on National Anthems, much like Charles Glenn has been in the last couple of years in St. Louis. Rico’s been a bit of a mystery, since he hit the ice running after the trade, but has since been unusually ho-hum. Definitely out-of-character for him. Seems like this group has had a much harder time coping with the rash of injuries, compared to other teams who have basically mastered the “Next Man Up” mentality.
A singer who gets the song over with and realizes that people are there to see a hockey game and not her? Sounds great.
And Bob Murray is a top 10 GM in the league.
Offloading Perry-Winkle & Getzlaugh might be the best way to go for the Ducky boys at this point, eating half the remaining money on their contracts would get them a bigger return too IMO. Both guys are still of some value in the league based on experience and past success, bet a couple teams would take a chance on them.