Ben Shelley: Ducks acquire Brian Dumoulin from Kraken, but remain quiet in free agency

Ducks upgrade their 5th line with a guy who has watched more games from the press box than he has played in his NHL career, and added another 3rd pairing D-man, of which they already have more than 2. I understand the need for depth, but hopefully something more is in the works. Patience has its limits...

Couldn’t be more disappointed in Verbeek …

If he wasn’t going to spend on FA - and I think that was the order from above….

Then why the hell weren’t we on Sergachev ??? Or Marino …

Really weak Verbeek -

Do they just want one more tank year?

Doesn't ANA already have too many LD in the system? All I've been told by Ducks fans over the last year is how that is the absolute last position of need.

Doesn't ANA already have too many LD in the system? All I've been told by Ducks fans over the last year is how that is the absolute last position of need.
- jfkst1

Exactly Verbeek is just fkng up in spades.

I think Ducks are getting ready for Necas...

Doesn't ANA already have too many LD in the system? All I've been told by Ducks fans over the last year is how that is the absolute last position of need.
- jfkst1

Dumoulin has a year left on his deal and can be flipped for another asset at the deadline unless something crazy happens. The goal could be to take some pressure off the kids, but could also mean that one of the young LD will be on the move to bring in a top 6 forward.

Dumoulin has a year left on his deal and can be flipped for another asset at the deadline unless something crazy happens. The goal could be to take some pressure off the kids, but could also mean that one of the young LD will be on the move to bring in a top 6 forward.
- hardenx

The guy blows… we only had to give a 4th to get him…. What could he possibly be worth to flip… it’s not like we were some kind of defensive juggernaut… he’s taking the place of a kid that should be there …

I think Ducks are getting ready for Necas...
- rubberduckies

Here’s the issue by not being a player in FA and still being well below the cap - now teams trading with us know Verbeek has to “make” a deal and they will bend him over -

Dumoulin has a year left on his deal and can be flipped for another asset at the deadline unless something crazy happens. The goal could be to take some pressure off the kids, but could also mean that one of the young LD will be on the move to bring in a top 6 forward.
- hardenx

If interested in flipping players, generally the route is to acquire them on a short-term deal in unrestricted free agency or in trades for future considerations. Because there's no guarantee they will get more than a fourth rounder for him in which case you're not actually flipping him for any real assets.

I hope Dummo can make some kind of difference…

I just want to write something that has to be said. I really just wana focus on fixing the problem right now. We Ducks fans are gonna have all season to be happy, Sad or disappointed. And it's probably gonna be another long season. So just to be constructive I think we Ducks fans and bloggers should probably come up with some reasonable expectations for next year. I mean the Ducks teams was never gonna fix it's problems in one season. But it's fair to ask the organization for some progress. I mean they want patience. But we fans are paying prices to watch games. So here we go.

#1: I'd like to see a higher point total than the last 2 seasons. 30+ points is ridiculous. But a reachable goal would probably be in the 40's. I'd hope for 50 or 60. But Rome wasn't built in a day.

#2: Don't blow smoke at the fans. We see what's going on. And as fans it's reasonable to ask for a little bit of transparency. I understand there won't be alot of openness. Things are what they are. And there's only so many ways you can say the same thing. So be practical about it.

#3: Focus on the basics. In reality the coaching staff should turn the entire season into one big development camp if you really wana see some big results. But that's not fun or practical. But as the saying goes. "A big house needs a big foundation" And the foundation of hockey are things like teamwork, Defense, boardwork, skating, conditioning. It's a long season. So some fun along the way is probably good to.

#4: this will probably be the most unreasonable request. But I think it's necessary. Sign some of these young players to long term extensions. If free agents don't want the Ducks organization money. Then I'd say it's time we give that money to some players who wana play here. It would show the players ,fans , and media the Anaheim Ducks wana win and are committed to the future. It would send a very good message that's really needed right now.