Breaking news from the NHL Draft in Montreal. It is being reported that the Ducks have traded Chris Pronger to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Lupul, Sbisa and 2 firsts. This is a huge trade for both teams and it will be interesting to see how it works out. In the meantime, check out more info at the NHL Draft.
Brian Burke has resigned as the Anaheim Ducks General Manager on Wednesday. That means that Bob Murray who is currently the VP of Hockey Operations for the Ducks. Brian Burke is expected to become the GM and President of the Toronto Maple Leafs, which he can now pursue since he is without a job. Burke will act as a consultant for the Ducks over an unspecified period of time, but he is free to look for a new job. Stay tuned on how this one develops, but I’d bet before too long we will see Brian Burke running the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Ducks have placed Mathieu Schneider on waivers in the hopes that some team will pick up Schneider and his hefty $5.75 million salary. There are probably a number of teams interested in Schneider, and one of the frontrunners would have to be the Los Angeles Kings, who could deperately use some veteran support on their blueline. Not to mention, the Kings could also use a powerplay quarterback now that Visnovsky is gone.
Now that Schneider is basically gone from the Ducks, that leaves salary cap room for Burke to sign Teemu Selanne. Selanne who missed a good chunk of last year contemplating retirement seems like he still has some juice left in his tank and could help out the Ducks offensively this year.
The Anaheim Ducks waived Todd Bertuzzi today and if he clears waivers then the Ducks will buy out the remainder of his contract. Todd Bertuzzi signed a 2 year, $8 million deal last year with the Ducks and put up 40 points in 68 games. If a team picks up on waivers they will be responsible for half of Bertuzzi’s salary making him an attractive and affordable option for many teams.
Chris Pronger wasn’t initially suspended by the NHL for the stomp on Ryan Kesler of the Canucks. Pronger was handed an 8 game suspension by the NHL for his stomp on Kesler. Pronger absolutely deserved to be suspended for this play. He is a dirty player and he needs to be treated like everyone else in the league. I am sick of watching him get away with stuff. Watch the Pronger stomp video:
The video of Chris Pronger of the Ducks Stomping on Ryan Kessler of the Canucks shows clear evidence that Pronger intended to do harm to Kessler. The league said they will not suspend Pronger for the stomp. There are many people around the league angered that Chris Pronger continues to get away with being a dirty player.
Corey Perry sustained a serious injury last night against the Colorado Avalanche. He was skating hard to the net when he skated into Jose Theodore, whose skate cut deep into Corey Perry’s leg. The cut was so deep that it severed tendons and muscle in Corey Perry’s leg. Corey Perry’s injury will keep him out at last 6 weeks, meaning that he will be missing at least the beginning of the playoffs.
Teemu Selanne is playing in his first game of the season for the Ducks tonight against the New York Islanders. Selanne’s NHL return tonight will give the Ducks more overall scoring depth, although it will take some time for Selanne to get into game shape.
Selanne already has an assist in the game, but he looks very slow early on. As he gets more game time he will get into better shape, but whether or not he regains his scoring touch is another story. The Ducks are hoping that Selanne does not return to the way he played when he was with the Avs.
