Expansion draft Duck thoughts

Now that the Anaheim Ducks have been eliminated by the Nashville Predators(sadly, again).  It is time to look to the future and more precisely next season.  With the upcoming Vegas expansion draft I expect the Ducks to protect  7 forwards, 3 defensemen and 1 goaltender(John Gibson).

Lets start with the defense because 5 off them are in play even though its really only two.

First off Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm automaticcally fill 2 of the 3 spots.  They are 1A and 1B two  offensive minded puck moving dman.

Next they have to get  an aging Bieska to waive his no trade clause.  Without it both Josh Manson and Sami Vatanen are left unprotected

Now if that is done I would choose to protect Manson  his physical style is vastly different from the 3 other young dmen.  Besides Vatanen offensive abilities can easily be made up with Shea Theodore or Brandon Montour.

Now would you trade Vatanen for another forward , before the expansion draft,  or let him go to Vegas.  This appears to be catch 22.  It could fill the final forward spot or free up money for free agency,

Right now the forwards protected would include Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, Corey Perry, Rickard Rakell, Jakob Silfverberg and Andrew Cogliano.  A 7th right now on the roster would be Antonie Vermette or Nick Ritchie.  Personally I don't know if Ritchie qualifies in order to need to be protected

I expect Vatanen to be gone either way and I hope in free agency they can find a way to keep Patrick Eaves and her doesn't go the way of David Perron and Jamie McGinn.

I expect Rakell and Silfverberg to take over the offensive load from Getzlaf and Perry to become the new core.

Post round 1 draft thoughts - Carolina Panthers

I am very  happy the Carolina Panthers took Christian McCaffrey.  Over  the past weekend I was convinced he was the pick after what I read/seen.  He will take pressure off Cam Newton and Johnathan Stewart.  I figure he will average fifteen rushes and 5 catches per game.  Coach Ron Rivera said he will also return punts I am afraid this will be too much for McCaffrey.  What if he gets hurt?.

I would have been ok with Leonard Fournette or OJ Howard(I hope Howard going to Tampa Bay doesn't burn the Panthers.) as well .  I am also happy they didn't go anywhere on  the DL after whet they did in free agency.

Where do you think the Panthers will go in round 2?  Two names I am focused on are Cam Robinson and Zay Jones.

Bob Murray takes with NHL Player Safety Friday April 7th

General Manager  Bob Murray:  Hello this Bob Murray General Manager of the Anaheim Duncks

NHL Dept of Player Safety:  Hi Bob we need to talk about Nick Ritchie.

GM BM: I know he is very sorry it won't happen again.  By the way what were you guys during Wednesday morning?

NHL (PS) Well we were  dealing with Brad Marchand.

GM BM:  Well you know I lost my best defenseman to a knee  on knee hit Tuesday night.

NHL (PS) Sorry to hear about that.

GM BM: Yeah it was Mark Giordano of the Calgary Flames same team that has Matthew Thachuk.

NHL(PS) oh.

GM BM: Who is this??? YOU WANT TO SUSPEND ONE OF MY PLAYERS FOR A SIMPLE PUNCH TO A DEPTH DMAM.  AFTER WE F***ING HEARD NOTHING FROM YOU ON WEDNESDAY REGARDING THE FOWLER HIT.   CAM IS F***ING LOST FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS ATLEAST IN WHICH WE MIGHT VERY WELL FACE THIS  SAME F***ING  CALGARY TEAM, F***ING GIORDANO CAN DO THIS AGAIN AND I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO F***ING EGELAND FOR JUMPING KESLER.

NHL (PS)  (slience)(whispers heard in background Boy Bob is really Pissed Off)

GM BM Can I speak with  Pronger or Parros?

NHL (PS) They are both busy right now.  Can we fine a solution to this Ritchie problem ..

GM BM, Fine  but first a question Do you want us to play Jared Boll Game 1 ESPECIALLY AGAINST F***ING CALGARY.

NHL (PS) Um 1 game Sunday  regular season finale vs. LA

GM  BM Acceptable (hangs up... grins like Mr. Burns) Execellent!!!