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Ducks’ Murray listening to trade offers

February 22nd, 2009, 1:00 pm · 10 Comments · posted by Dan Wood, Staff writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ducks general manager Bob Murray is doing a lot more listening than talking these days.

With the team very much on the bubble in terms of Stanley Cup playoff aspirations, Murray is fielding numerous inquiries from other clubs as the March 4 NHL trade deadline approaches.

“There are some interesting talks,” Murray said. “Our guys are good playoff players.”

While many veterans remain from the 2007 Stanley Cup championship team, the Ducks have fallen out of the top eight in the Western Conference. Still, Saturday’s 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets that snapped a three-game losing streak kept the Ducks (29-27-5) in the hunt, at least long enough to enjoy an off day before travel and practice Monday in preparation for Tuesday’s date with the Buffalo Sabres.

“No matter what, I have to listen, to anything that gives us a chance to be a better team next year,” Murray said. “I’m not about just getting in the playoffs and then losing in the first round. It’s about getting in and being capable of winning.”

Even if the Ducks were to sneak into the playoffs, they would appear likely to be seeded seventh or eighth and face a daunting opening-round challenge against a powerhouse foe such as the defending champion Detroit Red Wings or San Jose Sharks. The idea of making a deep post-season run, then, appears dubious at best.

“I’m losing thoughts of that,” Murray said. ” I thought some spark might come, some passion, some chemistry. It hasn’t happened. It hasn’t happened yet.”

While most trade speculation involving the Ducks has focused on defenseman Chris Pronger, there is also considerable interest in captain Scott Niedermayer. A key difference between the former Norris Trophy winners is that Pronger has another year remaining on his contract, at $6.25 million next season, while Niedermayer stands to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

“I’m getting a load of calls on Chris and Scotty,” Murray said.

Just as he waffled while contemplating retirement last season, when he sat out the opening 34 games, Niedermayer has given Murray no definitive indication as to his potential hockey future. And while trying to read Niedermayer’s plans is a fool’s game, conventional wisdom is that he will play another season, and likely compete for Team Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Parting with Niedermayer or Pronger would provide the best opportunity to re-tool the Ducks quickly, perhaps netting multiple quality younger players in return. Depending on the take, and response in the locker room, any such move might not only improve the team for the future, but also for the remainder of this season.

Defensemen Steve Montador and Bret Hedican, centers Todd Marchant and Brendan Morrison, and wingers Travis Moen and Rob Niedermayer are among 10 other Ducks set for unrestricted free agency who might have value as rental players for playoff-bound teams. Defenseman Kent Huskins and particularly center Samuel Pahlsson might also fit into that group, although their status is complicated by current injury and illness, respectively.

While the makeup of the team’s roster could very well change significantly in the next 10 days, media speculation that this season’s struggles might result in Coach Randy Carlyle being replaced is evidently without foundation.

“This is like duck-hunting season — we have coach-hunting season going on around the league,” Murray said. “Our players better not be using that as an excuse, because a lot of them will be gone before he’s gone. He’s a good coach. It’s not an issue.”

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 10 Comments

  • Pronger or Carlyle? - Los Angeles Kings Hockey Fan Forum says:
    February 22, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    [...] deadline, and Carlyle at the end of the season. Based on what Murray said at the the bottom of this article, I don’t think Carlyle is going [...]

  • John says:
    February 22, 2009 at 5:44 pm

    Well, if we get rid of Pronger or Scotty then we ain’t going anywhere for a long, long time. No way getting rid of either of these 2 players (which the rest of the league absolutely covets; acquisition of which the acquiring team would snicker and jeer at us on their way out the door with just 1 of them) helps us be a better team next year or for the next several after that. Forget it. Both of them are in their prime. No way. Don’t dump them. Don’t do it. Don’t alienate your fan base with another pseudo “redo”. We’ve got 5 or 6 players who are DEFCON 5 - Pronger and Scotty are 2 of them. Jiggy may have lost his status.

    A good start for next year likely begins with a new Coach. Maybe even a new goalie. The blue line wins championships. Look at Detroit. DO NOT TRADE AWAY THOSE PLAYERS OTHER TEAMS COVET. Those 10 scouts at each of our last few games are thinking fleece, Bob. Don’t do it. Let them dream on. Those 2 are key components if we are to go anywhere in the next 5-6 years.

  • Marc says:
    February 22, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    Let’s see, there’s a ton of interest in Ducks players from other teams. If the Ducks fired Carlyle, what are the chances he’d be back in the league has a head coach within a year?

    I’d say there’s a lot more interest in the Ducks players than the Ducks coach. And I’d further say that’s because the Ducks players have more value than the coach.

    Murray just seems way out of touch on this issue. Maybe we’re seeing why Murray was so long between GM gigs.

  • backcheck says:
    February 23, 2009 at 3:40 am

    Hate to break it to ya John but at age 34 & 35, 25 & 27 are fast moving past their prime. Early at training camp, before Burke left for the Vatican, Murph said, “Our goal this year is to get younger and faster.” We have somewhat by way of injuries and cap necessitated trades. We still have a way to go yet. I’m relieved at what Dan pulled out of Murph. He’s the first reporter in hockey to get an admission our Ducks could be sellers. Totally agree Marc. RC will finish the season but it’s doubtful he’ll be back next season. Speakin’ of who will be back, when the heck do we get our owner back?

  • John says:
    February 23, 2009 at 7:47 am

    Pronger and Neidermeyer are their prime. They are coveted by most teams - if they were on the downside of their careers then those teams with any legitimate hope wouldn’t be at our games hoping to pry them away from us. Philadelphia and Chicago scouts? What could we possibly want from those two teams in exchange for a Pronger or Neidermeyer which would supposedly put us over the top? They sit in 4th place in their conferences. With a few minor tweaks to our roster we would be sitting in fourth. And Boston? They aren’t giving up any blue chips. Basically, they want blue chips in exchange for unproven risk and potential. I’ll say it again: DON’T DO IT BOB. DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.

  • zskater says:
    February 23, 2009 at 9:16 am

    Lets start with getting rid of Carlyle, his style of play is not working for the team anymore. The players dont listen to a broken record, its time for him to move on. Pronger can be next, I dont need to explane why, its Pronger remember. Keep Scotty he can have a hugh impact on the new up and comers, its always good to have a veteran teaching.

  • backcheck says:
    February 23, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    Luv yer passion John. I agree we should keep Pronger because he’s signed through next year and we do need a veteran mentor for all the talented rookies & sophomores. But 27 & 44 are pending UFA’s who can’t or won’t commit to another season. I dont’ believe we are so deep intalent that we can afford to keep the NIedermayer’s and risk losing them for nothing.

  • jimw says:
    February 23, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    Pronger and the Nied’s financially & strategically have to be moved. The perfect storm of Prong’s heavy contract , the Nied’s coming FA status, and all three playing in their sunsets will get the Ducks 3 picks- Two second rounders and a sixth.

  • Sticking a fork in the Anaheim Ducks, courtesy of their GM | Lancilo says:
    March 1, 2009 at 12:52 am

    [...] From Ducks Blog on the OC Register: Even if the Ducks were to sneak into the playoffs, they would appear likely to be seeded seventh or eighth and face a daunting opening-round challenge against a powerhouse foe such as the defending champion Detroit Red Wings or San Jose Sharks. The idea of making a deep post-season run, then, appears dubious at best. "I’m losing thoughts of that," Murray said. [...]