Anaheim Ducks - Offseason recap

If you were coming off a strong playoff run to the Western Conference Finals that included a 4-game sweep of Winnipeg, out scoring the Flames 19-9 in a 4-1 series victory, and taking the powerhouse of Chicago to a game 7, you would most likely be very satisfied with your performance. For the Anaheim Ducks, who embarked on that exact 2015 playoff run, the feelings towards how their '14-'15 season came to an end are anything but satisfaction.

Heading into this summer, it was clear as day that the Ducks roster needed a shake-up. Not a Buffalo-esque rebuild, but a definite change. GM Bob Murray approached free agent frenzy in his usual fashion: giving very little (and at times absolutely none) detail into what his exact plans were for offseason free agent singings and trades. However, there were two obvious holes in the roster that needed to be filled: a top 6 LW to replace 20 goal scorer Matt Beleskey who left to Boston by way of free agency, and a top 4 defenseman to fill the void of veteran Francois Beauchemin who had been patrolling the first defensive pairing with the young defensive phenom, Hampus Lindholm.

Murray's moves began on June 27 when he sent forward Emerson Etem and two draft picks to the Rangers in exchange for speedy left-winger and former Swedish-olympian Carl Hagelin and a draft pick. Boom. The 2nd-line LW spot left by Beleskey is filled. Hagelin provides speed, agility, and hands. All of which will compliment his line mates Ryan Kesler and fellow Swede, Jakob Silfverberg. The Hagelin deal made Anaheim faster, which was an issue late in the Chicago series.

The Ducks then welcomed veteran goalie Anton Khudobin from Carolina. A veteran of 6 NHL seasons, the 29 year-old Khudobin will provide a veteran backup presence to Frederik Andersen while goalie prodigy John Gibson spends more time developing in the AHL. The Ducks goaltending situation is worth a post on its own, so we'll save that discussion for a later time.

The next move was a surprising one to say the least. Murray executed his 2nd trade with the Vancouver Canucks in two summers by bringing in 34 year-old blue liner Kevin Bieksa. A sometimes agitating player, the Ducks have had their fare share of Bieksa since he debuted in 2004. The Grimsby, ON native will bring a hard-nosed and grit-filled style to the defensive corps, most likely taking over Beauchemin's spot on the number 1 defensive pairing with Lindholm. This move also reunites center Ryan Kesler with his old friend as the two spent the entire first part of their careers together in Vancouver. So along with aiding the Ducks young defense, the Bieksa trade adds a locker room plus as well.

Murray also made a few minor free-agent signings which included veteran center Shawn Horcoff, winger Chris Stewart and center Mike Santorelli. The Horcoff signing brings more options to the Ducks down the middle, a position with not much depth after the 4 main centermen. Stewart could be seen as a replacement for bottom-6 RW Kyle Palmieri, who was dealt to New Jersey for draft picks. on the other hand could even see some time in the revolving door-like 1st line LW spot. For now, that spot will be filled by Patrick Maroon, but look for coach Bruce Boudreau to throw Stewart some minutes on the top line. Mike Santorelli is an interesting signing as well. The former 20 goal scorer plays a solid two-way game and can provide a different dynamic to Anaheim's bottom 6 lines.

Has Murray put together a better team than what he had in the '14-'15 season? The simple answer is yes. The 2014 GM of the Year award winner took the holes that needed to be filled, filled them up, and in typical Murray-fashion went above and beyond what he needed to do and added insurance to an already very strong hockey club.

The Ducks are built to make another deep run into the playoffs in 2016. Getting faster and stronger, adding veteran grit and poise while not dipping into their core is why the Ducks will be a Stanley Cup contender yet again.

Probable line combinations to start the '15-'16 season:
(italics indicate new player)

FORWARDS
Maroon - Getzlaf - Perry
Hagelin - Kesler - Silfverberg
Sekac - Rakell - Cogliano
Jackman - Horcoff/Santorelli - Stewart

DEFENCEMEN
Lindholm - Bieksa
Fowler - Despres
Stoner - Vatanen

GOALIES
Andersen
Khudobin

Injured to start the season: Nate Thompson C