By: Jeff Lingard
The draft and free agent
signing period is almost here and we here at the Daily Shootout have decided to
prepare a 4 point offseason plan for each team, organized by division. Today we
look at the Pacific division:
Anaheim Ducks:
1. Trade or keep Bobby Ryan
- I think Anaheim should sit tight and wait until Rick Nash is dealt and then
try to trade Ryan to the two or three teams that missed out. The question is
what Anaheim should look for in return for Ryan. There are rumors of a Ryan plus others for
Ryan Miller from Buffalo which would be a blockbuster trade and would be a good
fit for both teams. I also think a trade to Toronto built around Toronto's 5th
overall pick would be an option so that the Ducks would have the 5th and 6th
picks in the draft.
2. Either re-sign Teemu
Selanne or replace him - There are reports out of Finland that Selanne has
decided to return but he has not confirmed it yet. If Teemu does not come back
then the Ducks have to find a way to replace his 26 goals and 66 points. The
Ducks will have some cap space and could be a dark horse candidate to make a
run at a forward like Zach Parise.
3. Upgrade defensive depth -
The Ducks have a relatively cheap top 4 in Fowler, Visnovsky, Beauchemin and
Sbisa. The Ducks need a bounce back season from Visnovsky and for Fowler to
continue his development into a good two-way defenseman. I see the Ducks
signing a depth defenseman or two on the free agent market. Possible targets
would include Dennis Wideman, Jason Garrison, Filip Kuba or Matt Carle.
4. Re-stock the forward
lines - If Selanne doesn't come back and Ryan is traded then the Ducks will
only have 7 forwards under contract, plus anybody received in the Ryan trade.
Saku Koivu can be counted on in a support role but is not a front line player
anymore. The Ducks do not have any impact prospects that are ready to step in
as a top 6 forward so they likely have to sign a free agent forward or two if
they want to make a playoff push this year.
Dallas Stars:
1. Re-sign Jamie Benn - Benn
and Loui Eriksson are the foundation on which the Stars attack is built. Benn
will command a large raise from his $821,000 salary, but with new ownership and
a boatload of cap room, the Stars can meet his demands.
2. Shore up the D in Big D -
It seems like Sheldon Souray is going to test the market and Robidas and Daley
are closer to 2nd pair and not top pair defensemen. Ryan Suter would be an
awesome addition for the Stars, but I don't think the Stars can beat out
Detroit, Carolina or Nashville for his services. A defenseman like Matt Carle
would be a perfect addition to the Stars top 4.
3. Be patient - Just because
Dallas has a large amount of cap room doesn't mean they have to tie up veteran
players right away to long term deals. I think the Stars are best suited to
keeping their cap space, keep developing their young players and build around
their core. In a year or two when they are closer to contending for a Cup they
can make a splash.
4. Add one more top 6
forward - The Stars could use one more top 6 forward and can look at players
like Olli Jokinen, PA Parenteau or even Alexander Semin to fill that role.
Los Angeles Kings:
1. Figure out what to do
with Jonathan Bernier - Bernier is blocked by Jonathan Quick but LA may want to
keep him since it is better to have two goalies that can start and neither
Quick nor Bernier have high salaries in 2012-13. Bernier will be subject to
trade rumors and the Kings probably could trade him if the price is right, i.e.,
a top 4 defenseman.
2. Re-sign or replace DustinPenner - Penner had a bad regular season but a strong playoff. The Kings have
the cap space to make a run at Parise and he would be a good fit with the Kings
and their style of play.
3. Add one more top 4 defenseman
- Willie Mitchell and Rob Scuderi are getting old and are better as depth
players at this stage of their careers. The Kings need another top 4 D to take
pressure off Drew Doughty and Viatcheslav Voynov. A player like Dennis Wideman
would be a good fit to play with Mitchell or Scuderi.
4. Add one more scoring
winger - The Kings only had four 20-goal scorers at forward last year. If they
could pry Shane Doan from Phoenix he would be a perfect fit but that is
unlikely. Ray Whitney would be a good fit as well.
Phoenix Coyotes:
1. Fix the ownership
situation - Duh.
2. Re-sign Shane Doan - Doan
is the heart and soul of the Coyotes franchise and is not easily replaceable.
3. Add some offense - The
Coyotes can help with this by re-signing Doan and Ray Whitney, their leading
scorer last year. Phoenix could use at least one more top 6 forward and an
additional top 9 forward. If anybody can redeem Alexander Semin it would be
Dave Tippett.
4. Round out the D - Phoenix
has a solid top 2 in Yandle and Ekman-Larsson and has good depth with Derek
Morris and Rostislav Klesla. The Coyotes could add another 2nd or 3rd pair D to
add to their depth and insure against injuries.
San Jose Sharks:
1. Decide to go for it or
rebuild - The Sharks need to determine if the Thornton/Marleau/Boyle core is
still the core to build around or should they cut bait (no pun intended) and
build around Couture and Pavelski. If the Sharks go for it then they do not
have a lot of holes and need to rely on their current talent to gel and finally
put everything together.
2. Trade for Rick Nash - I
think that if the price is Pavelski plus a younger player or two then the
Sharks should trade for Rick Nash. He would be a great fit for this team and
would create a second elite scoring line.
3. Consider trading Marleau
or Thornton - Philadelphia traded Richards and Carter and had an excellent
regular season and beat Pittsburgh in round 1. San Jose can trade Marleau
and/or Thornton and receive the correct package(s) in return and still be Cup
contenders.
4. Add one more bottom six
forward - The Sharks could use another bottom six forward for depth, especially
if they are aiming for a long playoff run. Jay McClement, Jason Arnott or Jamie
Langenbrunner would be great fits for this spot.
Thank you to capgeek.com for
their help with this preview.
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