WASHINGTON – Bob Murray has what other teams want. And with a team that’s a notch below the best in the Western Conference, the Ducks general manager may be a man in need to give it a lift.
Deciding what to give in order to get is the tricky part. How much Murray feels he is in need and what he’ll do to fulfill that is unclear, but there’s no doubt that he is a popular person and will be as the March 1 NHL trade deadline approaches.
Why would he be popular? Murray possesses a cadre of defensemen that is attractive to teams looking to upgrade their blue line. And he acknowledged that his phone has been ringing. What’s been asked on the other end is something the executive didn’t define.
“The phone has started to ring, not specifically about the young defensemen but more about teams preparing for the deadline,” said Murray, who recently returned from Europe on a scouting trip.
Cam Fowler, once a hot subject of trade rumors, is still coveted – Buffalo and Detroit have long imagined him in their defense corps – but his play in 2016-17 has been so good that he is essential to the Ducks’ playoff push and belief in a lengthy postseason run.
Hampus Lindholm is their best defender and locked into a new, lucrative six-year contract. He is a cornerstone piece. But the Ducks have other pieces that teams inquire about. Pieces that could upgrade their forward lineup and add depth – the kind needed to go up against Minnesota, Chicago and San Jose.
The Ducks signed Sami Vatanen to a four-year extension for nearly $20 million. They’ve also got physical Josh Manson under contract through next season. Two other youngsters, Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour, are with the club now and looking to establish themselves as NHL regulars.
Murray also has prospect Jacob Larsson stashed in Sweden. All the defenders, including Fowler, are 25 years and younger. Pieces that will have other general managers checking in often and inquiring what will it take to acquire one.
One could be used to get the Ducks another quality forward. They’re 19th in the NHL in scoring offense, 18th in goals and 24th in shots on goal. And the 94 goals generated during five-on-five play puts them behind 23 teams.
Colorado, the league’s worst team, is one that has readily identified itself as a team that’s open for business. Scoring forwards Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog are the two players who have come up most in trade rumors. Avalanche GM Joe Sakic recently attended the Ducks’ game in Florida.
Landeskog, a four-time 20-goal scorer, would give the Ducks an immediate upgrade on left wing. He’s also signed for four more seasons after this one but the Ducks are jammed against the salary cap and the winger carries a $5.57 million cap hit.
Acquiring a forward of that or similar stature would require Murray to move out one or two salaried players. Maybe find someone to take on Clayton Stoner’s contract along with a top prospect and high draft pick.
But if he’s going to move one of his prized assets, it is going to be for someone who is going to remain with the Ducks beyond this season. “Any young player deal would be a hockey deal,” Murray said, “not a rental.”
Montour has heard his name come up in trade chatter. His plan is to focus on his game and move forward with the Ducks.
“Obviously you get those rumors,” he said. “Family or friends, they’re supporting them. They see all that. You get the texts. For me, I’m not worried about it.”
Contact the writer: estephens@scng.com
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