Just assuming the Red Wings need to make space for Mantha and Athanasiou. Ducks can't take on Nyquist's cap and Wings can't take Fowler without moving $4M to the Ducks.

Interested to hear a ducks fans thought on this, so would appreciate it if you replied. Wouldn't you agree with the expansion draft coming up and Bieksa taking up one of your protection spots, you're only real avenue for getting rid of a defenceman (with Lindholm being too good to trade and Fowler being too **** for any competent GM too pick up) is biting the bullet and trading Vatanen. Now I'm not saying for nothing, maybe for a Tatar/Kreider/JVR type. I think Ducks fans in general overrate Fowler and that if they were to get rid of him the return is not going to be tatar, but for Vatanen it might be that plus a little. Just my take.

Murray needs to sit down with Bieksa and say, "Look, we want to win a cup. You want to win a cup. If you waive your NMC, Despres probably gets picked up and you stay with us. If you don't agree to wave it, we will buy you out regardless if it doesn't help the cap situation because we can't lose Lindholm, Vats or Manson for nothing. Then you have limited options for playing in the NHL. Your choice."

I would rather keep Fowler. I realize everyone says he is bad, but I like his game. Unfortunately, Ducks need wingers and Stoner isn't going to get the right return. Neither the Wings or Ducks have too much power over their situations because they need to move players (Wings have too many forwards / Ducks have too many defensmen) so this trade works for both.

Vats is too valuable to move (same as Lindholm). His offensive production is going to increase and his salary is too good. A team would have to overpay to get him and would look bad on the Ducks to move a player who just signed an extension.

What would be overpayment in your eyes for Vats? We're talking about a 50-60 point LW plus what?

If Anaheim ownership is smart, they 'll bite the bullet with Bieksa and buy him out. (If he doesn't agree to your scenario)

Anaheim has a quartet of dmen that should be protected at all costs. The remaining 4 spots can go to the forwards. One of Rackell or Silvferberg should be traded as they most certainly would be selected if left exposed.

The Avs had to three way trade with detroit because a straight up trade would've been heresy.

I think Anaheim would be wise to trade one of those four defenceman you mentioned. That way the could utilize the 7-3-1 protection option and keep all there forwards (plus maybe one from a trade) and maximize value.

If he agrees to waive his NMC, no reason to buy out a final contract year. Let him be your 6th or 7th defensmen.

If he waves (assuming the roster is as above) I would protect:
Getz
Perry
Kesler
Rakell
Tatar
Sheahan
Silf

Lindholm
Vats
Manson

Exposing: Despres, Cogliano and Vermette. Despres will be taken. Not great, but no way Rakell can be exposed.

Fowler?

In this scenario, Fowler is traded for Tatar and Sheahan.

Oh yeah forgot that! Sorry.

Keslers contract is 10x worse than Bieska. Thats the contract they need to get out from under.

Kesler was arguably the best Ducks forward in the playoffs. He was more valuable to the team than Getz. His contract isn't great, but what realistically what would be better? $1M/per year less? One year less? If I could go back, I would sign him to the exact same contract every time. He would have got more in free agency and the Ducks needed a 2nd line center. (Rakell wasn't ready)

Kesler is 32 and is going to be making 7mil for the next 6 YEARS! That might not hurt you now, but do you really think he's a 7mil player at age 38,37,36,35 or even now?

Kesler is regressing so hard. He is not the same player he was 3 years ago. Its not close that contract will start hurting you this year maybe next at the best case. Getzis far and away more valuable. He drives their offense which already struggles. this is a silly silly thought process.

That's hockey, man. That's salary caps and free agency. Will Getz be worth $8.6M in 4 years? Will Toews be worth $10.5M when he's 35? Are the Sedins worth $7M? Every team has 3 or 4 guys they are overpaying long term to get production now. That's life.

Kelser isn't worth the money now. Plus he has recapture penalties with this contract. Plus Getz doesn't play a speed game so he will age out better. Plus hes much better than kelser . People kelser isn't very good anymore. Maybe the ducks should be looking at the pens and how they play and realize they made a mistake letting Perreault go.

Well, regardless, the roster above is a solid lineup that can compete for a Stanley Cup. That is all that matters.

Kesler's contract is way harder to move. If it were possible to move him, I would think that would be the smartest one. He cannot live up to that contract and thus should be moved but like i said, that will be way harder than figuring out what to do with Bieksa. 4M for 2 years isn't a huge contract to take on for a team willing. Kesler's on the other hand is virtually impossible given that he has an NMC. Kesler's contract is one of the worse contracts in the league but he is at least still playing good which is good.

Dude you're such a troll. Nobody here is arguing he has a good contract, everyone and their mother knows it's bad. But not in the moment, and with an aging core the Ducks are trying to win NOW,. Say what you want, but he IS playing great hockey now (was a selke finalist, netted like 55 points against only top lines, had over a 53% Corsi against those best players/lines, and won like 58% of his faceoffs). In addition he's already an on-ice and locker room leader who sported an A on his jersey. Ducks11 couldn't have been more accurate in his assessment. If you aren't willing to overpay a veteran, you'll never get star talent after an ELC. It's pay him this, or lose him to FA on what certainly would've been a worse contract. Now maybe we can get to talking about something relevant - since there's not a chance in hell Kessler is going anywhere soon - like the Fowler trade Ducks11 posted here.

Which btw I personally think is a pretty solid trade, but linewise I'd have Tatar with the twins.. Ritchie still looks like an AHLer at the moment

bones, I don't believe Kesler's contract has recapture penalties. He was signed in 2015. Anyways, like it was noted, most teams have contracts that are extremely bloated and will become more burdensome with each new season.

Detroit says Yes, But i doubt that Anaheim can afford to take more cap on. Once both Lindholm and Rakell resign. Anaheim will be tight up against the cap.

Done deal then. In the that scenario, Rakell is signed for $2M bridge contract. He has one, 20 goal season and spent time on the first line with the twins. The bridge deal will be to show he can continue his growth and (hopefully) center another scoring line.

Lindholm gets $5M for 4 years. Maybe a little lower than what some people are projecting, but he is still an RFA. Unless he wants to sign for 7-8 years, I don't think he gets much more than $5M (again, hopefully). I could even see a scenario where he goes for $4M for one or two years.