Ben Shelley: Ducks must take advantage of cap space this offseason

Well I do agree Ben. Acquiring Free agents is a easy way to change a team. And with the right contracts they can be seen as assets. But think of free agency as a used car lot. Now when you go there you know those cars are gonna be damaged some way. Possibly a Lemon. But Buyer's accept that because they need a cheap car.

Now Pat Verbeek can go shopping in free agency. Nothing wrong with that. And the Ducks definitely need a Car that runs. Just as long as Verbeek isn't paying NEW car prices it should be OK.

You could use Muzzin🤭

You could use Muzzin🤭
- mr.sir

It's kind of sad you say this because it's kind of true. 😔

If you're advocating for the route of tank.. Then you have to trade Gibson for pieces.. He has indicated that he wants no part of what you're suggesting. And while I mostly agree with you this time I am opposed.

So many FA out there for the plucking and having to spend 19 million to just get to the floor.. allows for some nice adds.

DuBois is one that comes to mind instantly... Depending on who the Jets coach is .. Trade is a very real possibility.. Fiala, Forsberg, Klingburg and others out there .. for either trade or signing.

A few nice adds and a better yr from Gibson and no reason this team can't at least be in the mix for a playoff spot.

If you're advocating for the route of tank.. Then you have to trade Gibson for pieces.. He has indicated that he wants no part of what you're suggesting. And while I mostly agree with you this time I am opposed.

So many FA out there for the plucking and having to spend 19 million to just get to the floor.. allows for some nice adds.

DuBois is one that comes to mind instantly... Depending on who the Jets coach is .. Trade is a very real possibility.. Fiala, Forsberg, Klingburg and others out there .. for either trade or signing.

A few nice adds and a better yr from Gibson and no reason this team can't at least be in the mix for a playoff spot.
- dozerD10

I'd like forsberg. Don't know if we can get him though.

What is your wishlist for restocking the D? Re-signing Manson, trading for a cap casualty: Girard, Dumba, Muzzen, Barrie, one of the Pens or Bruins.
On offence you might get a shot at regaining Rackell. Take a shot at a NYR cast-off.
All that cap and a roster to fill! I think Verbeek is up to it!

What is your wishlist for restocking the D? Re-signing Manson, trading for a cap casualty: Girard, Dumba, Muzzen, Barrie, one of the Pens or Bruins.
On offence you might get a shot at regaining Rackell. Take a shot at a NYR cast-off.
All that cap and a roster to fill! I think Verbeek is up to it!
- HenryHockey

I like you’re thinking - especially Dumba /Girard … Lots of cap casualties out there…

Oilers will take future considerations off your hands for Kassian and a future 2nd

Comtois and a 3rd for Boeser.

Comtois and a 3rd for Boeser.
- Reubenkincade

I don't think Canucks do that.. but I would in a heartbeat.

Save your cap space for Matthews

Save your cap space for Matthews
- mr.sir

Surprised you didn't drop a Drysdale for Mrazek and Holl trade in there...

Surprised you didn't drop a Drysdale for Mrazek and Holl trade in there...

- dozerD10

Don’t want to steal your thunder

Surprised there is not any Gibson trade speculation here.....Oops! Now I did it!

Ben, all of us Ducks fans on here really appreciate your writing about the Ducks. Not since Doug Stolhand has there been someone who consistently writes blogs(I just dated myself on this site). However, if you want to remain relevant in the Socal market, you HAVE to win, or at the worst, be decent. There are only two teams that can get away with losing here, the Dodgers and the Lakers. Every other team will see a sharp drop-off in attendance when they start to slide. Just look at the team across the 57 freeway. They have the 2 best players in the game playing for them right now and if the Angels start fading (as they, unfortunately, do ) Angel stadium will be 1/3 full at best. The Ducks can't fall too far from relevance, Verbeek needs to use that cap space to get some veterans in here to help the kids out. They have the most exciting and creative player in the NHL and even he is not good enough to put butts in the seats. However, ice a team that's winning more than losing, even a little, and people will start showing up.

Weaponizing cap space is more difficult these days because more teams have a ton of cap space. 13 teams have more than $20 mil in cap space. 11 teams are below the cap floor. Although some of these have more unsigned UFA’s and RFA’s. Not saying it can’t be done. But there is more competition. It used to be only Arizona and Ottawa.

Ben, all of us Ducks fans on here really appreciate your writing about the Ducks. Not since Doug Stolhand has there been someone who consistently writes blogs(I just dated myself on this site). However, if you want to remain relevant in the Socal market, you HAVE to win, or at the worst, be decent. There are only two teams that can get away with losing here, the Dodgers and the Lakers. Every other team will see a sharp drop-off in attendance when they start to slide. Just look at the team across the 57 freeway. They have the 2 best players in the game playing for them right now and if the Angels start fading (as they, unfortunately, do ) Angel stadium will be 1/3 full at best. The Ducks can't fall too far from relevance, Verbeek needs to use that cap space to get some veterans in here to help the kids out. They have the most exciting and creative player in the NHL and even he is not good enough to put butts in the seats. However, ice a team that's winning more than losing, even a little, and people will start showing up.
- duxcup07

Agreed.. Not even SC football can get away with being crappy for too long before the Coli is half full... people leaving at halftime.. donations gone.. etc.

Gotta bring in some ballers for the kids.. Even on the overpay..

Klingburg.. 4 x 8
Trade for Fiala...
Take a run @ Vinny T in Carolina.
Take a run @ Boeser or JT Miller.

Lots of options out there this offseason. I'm even down with trading both 1st round picks for established players that can help now...
Specifically a RHD and top Wing. L or R ...

Call the Caps and offer Gibson for Wilson... They need a goalie bad. And Wilson would be perfect for Z or McTavish..

Agreed.. Not even SC football can get away with being crappy for too long before the Coli is half full... people leaving at halftime.. donations gone.. etc.

Gotta bring in some ballers for the kids.. Even on the overpay..

Klingburg.. 4 x 8
Trade for Fiala...
Take a run @ Vinny T in Carolina.
Take a run @ Boeser or JT Miller.

Lots of options out there this offseason. I'm even down with trading both 1st round picks for established players that can help now...
Specifically a RHD and top Wing. L or R ...

Call the Caps and offer Gibson for Wilson... They need a goalie bad. And Wilson would be perfect for Z or McTavish..

- dozerD10

As long a Verbeek does one substantial move and has a good draft I think most Ducks fans will be OK. Thing is you won't grow the fan base treading water like this. And we still gotta wait for McTavish, Perreault, Tracy, Zellweger, to be ready. But I'm really hoping for a big move. Been a while since a Ducks GM has given fans a reason to be optimistic

As long a Verbeek does one substantial move and has a good draft I think most Ducks fans will be OK. Thing is you won't grow the fan base treading water like this. And we still gotta wait for McTavish, Perreault, Tracy, Zellweger, to be ready. But I'm really hoping for a big move. Been a while since a Ducks GM has given fans a reason to be optimistic
- Eman87654

I’m thinking Verbek will be aggressive with all the money he has to spend just to get to the floor… but what from I’ve read and heard he’s not gonna be silly …

Cogs and Manson … way to go boys !!!!

Josh Manson Stanley Cup Champion!

Anaheim should look into E Malkin