READING, PA – The Anaheim Ducks are a team with a ton of talent who appear on the verge of being purged of just some of the major building blocks that propelled them to a Stanley Cup in 2007. So many questions that revolve around the team should be answered within the next month as the NHL Entry Draft and free agency period fast approaches. Most of those questions revolve around the Big 3 on defense: Scott Niedermayer, Francois Beuchemin, and Chris Pronger. Than there is also the case of goaltender J.S. Giguere who was sent to the bench behind Jonas Hiller. Will they trade him for some offensive help or for a defenseman? So many questions, so little time. With the Ducks on the clock in our mock draft, here is a look at the Quackers and what we think the team will do come draft day. Rankings Offense: 14th Defense: 18th Face-Offs 18th Power Play: 5th Penalty Killing: 23rd Team strengths Current roster: Center, Right Wing, Defense Prospects: Defense, Left Winger Notable free agents Forwards: Todd Marchant, Rob Niedermayer, Erik Christensen Defenseman: Scott Niedermayer, Francois Beuchemin, James Wisniewski, Bret Hedican So many rumors revolve around both Scott and Rob Niedermayer. One has them possibly going to Vancouver. For someone who has been on the verge of retirement for what seems like years, it appears Scott will give it a go for at least one more season, if for no other reason but to appear in next years Olympics which will be held in Vancouver. With his brother Rob also a free agent, it appears that the Niedermayers will be a package deal like the Sundin twins are with the Canucks. Chris Pronger has a year yet to go on his contract (at $6.25). Some theories has Pronger possibly being traded so that the team can keep the Neidermayers, or it could happen where the Niedermayer’s sign one year deals and allow both to walk after next season. Either way, if the Ducks lose Niedermayer or Pronger next season, it will be a blow to the team that worked so hard to build a cup contender over the past few years. This is also a bad time for Francois Beuchemin to be a UFA from the Ducks perspective. You can bet Beuchemin will get some takers, especially since he only made 1.65 last season. A team like the Flyers are one of a few teams in line for his services, especially if the Flyers can’t land Jay Bouwmeester. On offense, like Scott Niedermayer, the Teemu Selanne watch is on despite having one more season left to go on his contract. Still, you get the feeling that Selanne will go off into the sunset with Niedermayer and Pronger after next season. Todd Marchant will most likely not be back, but Christensen probably will be. One of the prospects that might be ready to step in on defense is Mark Mitera, who was taken 19th overall in 2006. He is graduating from the University of Michigan and will either start the season in the AHL or the NHL. If either of the big three are gone, Mitera will most likely step right into the Ducks lineup. On offense, left winger Matt Beleskey might be ready as well but another season in the AHL would do him some good. Still, the left wing position is a week one in Anaheim so don’t be surprised if he is in a Ducks uniform come October. Giguere could land him another gig out of town, but with his 6 million dollar a year contract that has two more years left to go, it might make trading for him a tough sell. The Flyers were once said to have been interested but with the impending doom, um, I mean signing of Ray Emery, it is doubtful that the Flyers would pursue a trade for him unless Emery falters in south Philly. The Ducks have four goaltending prospects worth looking at but until Giguere is moved they are non factors at this point, and this is a week draft for goaltenders so don’t think about the Ducks taking one this high. At the Draft, the Ducks will be very tempted to take offense with their pick at number 15. They will have a ton of options with Carter Ashton and Scott Glennie still sitting their but both are right wingers. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to draft either one of them. Peter Holland and Chris Krieder would also look good in a Ducks uniform.
Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (photo courtesy of the NHL)
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