The Ducks need to get younger and faster
Chris Johnston: Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray said that as the trade deadline is approaching, they need to get younger and faster: “I’ve been listening a lot lately. … This organization, we have to change some things.”
Dennis Bernstein: Murray noted on the Ducks: “We have good players, we’re just not a good team right now.”
Murray on the possibility for trading some core players.
“If we have opportunity to be younger and faster, have to look at it.”
Mark Whicker of the OC Register: Anaheim Ducks John Gibson should not be traded, but anyone else that can be, shouldn’t be surprised if they are moved.
Any full rebuild can’t begin until they no longer have the contract of Ryan Getzlaf ($8.25 million for two more years), Corey Perry ($8.65 million for two more years) and Ryan Kesler ($6.875 for three more years) on the books. All have no-movement clauses.
Murray said that he’s not afraid to approach them about waiving.
Buyouts could also be considered in some situations.
The Golden Knights heading into the deadline
Jesse Granger of The Athletic: Vegas Golden Knights GM George McPhee on the trade deadline.
“We’ll be active in terms of knowing what’s going on in the market and talking to everyone, but I couldn’t tell you right now what we’d be planning on doing,” McPhee said. “What we’d like to do is see if we can get this club healthy and then see if it needs anything.”
Given their cap space next year, it’s possible that pending rental options like Wayne Simmonds, Mark Stone or Mats Zuccarello could be re-signing options if acquired.
The Golden Knights could use some scoring, third line depth.
The Golden Knights have some extra draft picks this year (two in the third and fifth round) and next year (two extra seconds) but they will be careful with them.
They are deep in blueline prospects, and if looking at NHL defensemen Shea Theodore or Colin Miller would be the most likely candidates.
Potential trade targets include Simmonds, Zuccarello, Stone and Nikolay Goldobin.