I agree they are a playoff team in the pacific next season. I think the RFA signings are very reasonable, however they will probably want to give Montour a longer term after his great season last year. I also suspect Kesler will be 2C again if his hips are working and steel/henrique will battle for 3C spot. Could also see Steel starting on the RW somewhere. I also suspect Rakell will play LW and Eaves will play RW this season as that was where they mostly have been. Looking at this roster, the ducks are probably the most physical team in the league, will be interesting to watch their games and see if they can punish the speed/controlled entry play that has gotten so popular everywhere else.

I like all the signings except ritchie. Guy will never get nearly 4 mil. He cant put up more than 15 goals and 40 points. More likely he would get a 2 year somewhere in between $1-1.5 mil.

We're talking about a long term deal here. He would not be given that type of money on a 2 year deal, at least not right now. That's a good signature for both party and the risks aren't that high for the team since it's a relatively low cap hit (3.3M$/year is the NHL average now). Still, he's a first round pick, big, physical, can score goals in dirty area...these are hard to find and almost always gets rewarded when the time comes. You say he can never put up more than 15 goals...he played only 2 full NHL seasons, he's only 22 years old with 186GP behind the belt, not even playing PP minutes yet, plays mostly on the 3rd line and still puts up those numbers.

ANA has two choices :
1) Sign a bridge deal at 2x2.3M$ or 3x2.9M$ (seach for same type of player and you find they all got around those numbers)
2) Take a small gamble and sign him long term 6-7 years at around 3.8-4M$ a year. (Again, search for similar players and you'll see for yourself)

And we all know that the Ducks loves to extend their players long term right after their ELC. History speaks for itself.

I think the Ritchie and Kase contracts should be switched. Other than that, it looks pretty good.

Wait a second here....are we watching the same Ducks team? Also, we aren't watching the same Nick Ritchie that you are talking about. The Nick Ritchie we see every game takes a dumb penalty in the offensive zone and then gets benched.

I would rather bring back Kevin Bieksa to play forward then bring back Ritchie for $3.9 a year...

This was exactly my point. Guy doesnt deserve more money than Rakell. At least Rakell was showing those promising signs before getting the best contract Steal of a lifetime) in Ducks history!!

Ritchie for $1.7M, Kase no higher than $2.5M.

Love how hot you are on the Ducks, but they have a few bloated contracts that are hurting them, and guys with dubious futures health wise. Perry looks like trash now. If he starts the season hot I’d ask him to waive that NMC and move him for anything at all. The Ducks are really going to need to rely on young guys coming up big this year if they want to have a chance

Did you see O.Kase's contract signing today? 3 years at 2.6M$ AAV. I was at 3 years at 2.65M$ AAV in this thread posted 5 weeks ago. Can you say "spot on"?! ?

Nice post. I like most of it, but if Kesler is healthy I don't see him on the 4th line so Steel can play 3C. Ritchie should get a contract under 2mil for cap hit, 1 year or 2.

Great call!

Very solid! That wasn’t the contract that was really in question though.. wait for the Ritchie signing and you’ll probably be humbled

Yeah I think so too lol! But if they ever decide to go long term (6-7 years), that's should be in that ball park (between 3.5 & 3.75M$ AAV)?

Realisticly, though, 3 years at 2.4M$ AAV would be more in line with what he's worth.

I don’t think the Ducks would have any appetite to sign him to that kinda term with his performance last season. You don’t give a 10 goal scorer with a reckless streak $4M / year unless you’re the capitals signing Wilson at that +$1M for god knows what reason. He’s worth $2M for a couple more years to see what he can put together