Expansion draft issues loom for Ducks after playoff exit
After coming up short in the playoffs, the same Anaheim Ducks squad that just missed this year's Stanley Cup Final is unlikely to return next spring.
That's because the Ducks face arguably the biggest decisions of any team ahead of next month's expansion draft, when the incoming Vegas Golden Knights will grab a player from each team, and there are plenty of players worth plucking from the Ducks.
For the expansion draft, teams can protect one goaltender and either seven forwards and three defensemen, or any combination of eight skaters. The wrinkle: Any player with a no-movement clause cannot be exposed, unless he agrees to do so.
So if you're Ducks general manager Bob Murray, that means begging veteran defenseman Kevin Bieksa to help out by waiving his no-move clause. If not, that means the following names must stay put:
| Player | Position | Cap | Term | 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corey Perry | F | $8.625M | 4 Years | 53 Pts in 82 GP |
| Ryan Getzlaf | F | $8.25M | 4 Years | 73 Pts in 74 GP |
| Ryan Kesler | F | $6.875M | 5 Years | 58 Pts in 82 GP |
| Kevin Bieksa | D | $4M | 1 Year | 14 Pts in 81 GP |
Given the Ducks' depth on the blue line - which was on full display in the playoffs - it's all but assured that Murray will opt for the second route, meaning Anaheim will choose to protect more than three defensemen.
And let's say that, yes, Bieksa is willing to roll the dice on ending up in Vegas. But even in that situation, Anaheim still has four defensemen it would like to hang on to: Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, Cam Fowler, and Josh Manson.
The good news is that most of the Ducks' young blue-liners, namely Brandon Montour, Shea Theodore, and Jacob Larsson, are exempt from the expansion draft. But by protecting four rearguards, that leaves just four other slots up front, with Perry, Getzlaf, and Kesler filling up all but one.
Not good news when you also plan to have Jakob Silfverberg, Rickard Rakell, and maybe even ironman Andrew Cogliano as part of your future.
So rather than lose a good asset for free, expect a Duck - either up front or on the back end - to be on the move prior to the expansion draft, as it's in Anaheim's best interest to find an asset in return rather than lose a good player for free to the Golden Knights.
Less than 24 hours removed from the playoffs, and there's already so little time for rest this offseason in Orange County.