The Anaheim Ducks were relatively quite this off season. Their major machinations were performed leading up to the expansion draft.
The Ducks have a raft full of talented blueliners and first order of business was finding a clear path to protecting the core yet still providing sufficient enticement for the Las 
Vegas Golden Knights to leave the real gems untouched.
Shea Theodore was traded to the Knights prior to the draft for “considerations” also known as keep your mitts off our other defensemen.
In trading Theodore, the Ducks protected their prized possessions in Sami Vatanen or Josh Manson.
On the movement side, the Ducks let goalie Jonathan Bernier go to free agency and he signed with the Colorado Avalanche.
The other player to leave the sunny confines of Anaheim was Nate Thompson who signed with the Ottawa Senators.
“That was the exciting part about signing here,” Thompson said. “Not only is it a good team, but coming to a Canadian market and learning the new ways in Canada and living here, I’m extremely excited.”
With the departure of Bernier, the Ducks signed Ryan Miller to a two-year deal worth $4 million.
At 37, Miller has had a run of uninspired years but has also been backstopping mediocre teams. Miller will play behind John Gibson and maybe now can find a path to greater success with a better team in front of him.
So, the question is, do goalies make teams better or does defense make goalies better. We will see this coming season.
Anchoring that defense for the next eight years is Cam Fowler. The Ducks locked up Fowler on the first day of the free agency period with a the deal worth $6.5 per year.
Patrick Eaves was acquired by the Ducks during the season from the Dallas Stars where he languished with a moribund offensive output.
His season ended with 32 goals and that led to a three-year deal for the forward with Anaheim at just north of $3 million per year.
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