Movements on the Home Front
Ducks GM Brian Burke has been busy these last few days. Just days after being named as Team U.S.A.'s general manager - a fact I clearly was astounded by because for some reason, I had always assumed Burkie was Canadian (totally wrong, apparently) - Burke shipped off Marc-Andre Bergeron in exchange for a third round draft pick in this year's draft.
What does it mean, exactly?
Well, with Burkie, you can never really know. But here's the thing: a decision regarding the futures of both hockeygod, AKA Scott Niedermayer, and fan favorite Teemu Selanne have yet to be determined. Shipping off Bergeron wasn't a huge deal, though it makes me curious to see what might Burke do next weekend when the 2008 NHL draft kicks off in Ottawa.
Bergeron only earned $1.2 million last season, and was under contract to get another $1.7 next. Surely, that frees up just an eensy, weensy bit of cap room to hammer something out with Corey Perry, but is it enough? (Hey, don't look at me! I don't like math. Maybe Sleek knows.)
So, just like last summer, it comes down to Scotty and his $6.7 million dollar salary. Free that up (not that I'm exactly encouraging retirement, but, uh... I am considering the future here), and we can lock Pears in for a couple years. That gives us youth, scoring, and one lean-mean-agitating machine.
And once again leaves us with a fat hole on the blueline. However, there's Chris Pronger and Mathieu Schneider already locked in for 08/09 (Pronger's in til the end of 09/10), and we'd need to add one more solid top-4 d-man to even out the load a bit. Don't get me wrong, Francois Beauchemin and Sean O'Donnell are solid guys, but I'd like a fifth man option here. I like a formidable defense and a potent offense - which is yet another reason why I'd want the Finnish Flash to play one more year.
But, truth be told, I'm not going to hold my breath and keep my eyes peeled for retirement watches. In another week-and-a-half, we'll know.
In the meantime, take heart! Burkie's already signed Jonas Hiller and Andrew Ebbett to two-year contract extensions a piece.
Hiller played a solid back-up role to Jean Sebastien Giguere all season long after adjusting to the North American style of play. I'm looking forward to watching him in net for a few more seasons.
Ebbett played most of last season in the AHL with the formerly-affiliated Portland Pirates. He led the team in scoring and assists, and got the call up to the Show for a three-game stint. I don't recall the details, but I do remember being quite happy with his performance and definitely look forward to watching him play the next time he gets the call!
Now... the real question (at least for the sake of my own personal peace of mind) is... When are we signing Brian Sutherby?!
4 cheers and jeers:
In 45 games with the Ducks last season, Sutherby had a whopping one assist and 57 PIMs. If he gets signed by anyone, it will be some beer league team. He should be thankful if he ends up in Iowa because he's wasting a roster spot in Anaheim.
If "Burkie" signs him, "Burkie" needs his head checked.
hey hey play nice! :)
I am! He's a better AHL player than an NHL player at this point.
Honestly, he'll play fourth-line again if he gets re-signed. He's got a little fight in him, and is a decent checker, but I assume that Burke will want more than just 1 assist out of him.
oh, make no mistake... I expect more than just 1 assist out of him as well. I know he can do better, and I suspect he knows it himself.
I just want him to have that shot... we'll see...
I've got to wait on Pears first.
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