Takes and trash talk from both ALL sides of the NHL's most obscure PATHETIC* rivalry

* Thanks, Kevin Lowe!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Ducks Gameday—Five year extension for Getzlaf

Anaheim Ducks (10-8-3, t-4th in west) at Dallas Stars (9-7-4, t-7th in west)

Man, there is just so much news to cover I don't know where to begin. I guess the lesson is don't take a vacation; Burke likes to break the big news just when your back is turned.

First off, let's take a look at Getzlaf's megadeal extension: 5 years averaging $5.33 M a year. Matt at BoA put together a nice table that puts it in line with a few other extension deals, and I'm more than comfortable with this dollar amount. It's not the 15 years I had been advocating earlier in the summer, but Getzlaf is really a kid you can build an offense around--good size, range, and creativity, plus a pretty wicked shot. He'll be a talent no matter what sort of tight-checking or free-flowing hockey the league develops into. He's grown up in sheltered minutes, sure, but last postseason he did lead the Ducks in scoring and in power play scoring, and he's leading the team in scoring this year as well.

We'll see what this means for Corey Perry's extension, who was 2nd in playoff scoring and is currently 2nd in team scoring, but I'm not averse to throwing big money at the kids; it's at least consistent with the marketplace. Next year should be very interesting, by the way. It'll be the year when most every contract comes to an end; the Ducks seem designed with a built-in "out strategy", which seems like a reasonable notion coming out of the lockout. Here's the list of contracts that come to an end next year: Scott Niedermayer, Mathieu Schneider, Todd Bertuzzi, Andy McDonald, Todd Marchant, Rob Niedermayer, Francois Beauchemin, Sammy Pahlsson, Travis Moen, Shane Hnidy, Kent Huskins, Brad May, George Parros, and even Randy Carlyle and Brian Burke. So far only Chris Pronger, J.S. Giguere, Ryan Getzlaf, and Chris Kunitz are signed beyond 2008-09; with Perry that seems like a pretty solid core to build around.

You can leave a comment on that, or any of this other news I'm brushing over.


Also this weekend: Ducks trade a 2009 2nd round choice to Washington for center Brian Sutherby. My inital response: who? Two things about Burke, though: he loves checking centers and hates second round picks. More to come on that I'm sure.


Also this weekend: Ilya Bryzgalov is a Coyote! I wrote a bit on that while on vacation, and I'll have more to say on that come Friday's post.


Also this weekend: The Ducks win their fourth shootout in a row! Sure it was a battle between the Ducks (the team with the most franchise shootout losses) against the Sharks (the team with the fewest franchise shootout wins) but that doesn't mean I didn't make a Fanhouse cartoon post about it.


Tonight's opponent, the Dallas Stars, is the team that's benefited the most from shootouts (22-6); since the lockout they lead the league in shootout wins and winning percentage. I guess it's interesting to note that both the Ducks and Sharks have beaten the Stars in a shootout (without even using a third shooter!), though it took each teams four tries to do it.

The Stars are 12-4-2 against the Ducks since the lockout, including 2-0 this season. They've outscored the Ducks this season 8-1, with the only ANA goal coming on a 5-on-3. Still, I'm optimistic. The Ducks seem to play well when I'm unable to watch, which will be the case tonight.

Prediction: Ducks give me something to be thankful for and win it in a shootout. Regulation goals by Pahlsson and Kunitz; shootout winner by rich man Getzlaf.

Go Ducks.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

might we see you at the game on Friday against Phoenix? I'll be on the other side of the arena from where you typically sit... in Row R though. Damn early games... ^_~

Anonymous said...

the cartoon made me bust a gut...no not nut..gut
with perry a sure thing as far as siging goes becuause he fits burkes idea of a hockey player...who goes to make room for his salary? ive concluded andy mac...not burkes kinda guy and making a lot...

and sorry we suck against dallas..i think because the ducks fall asleep playing against this dreadfully boring team..we lose 3-0...zzzzzzzzzz

p.s. mispelled word of the day for the speling nazi's

"bite me biatch"

Earl Sleek said...

might we see you at the game on Friday against Phoenix?

Nah, I don't think I'm slated for a game for the next month or so, and definitely don't have any Row B tickets until March (better chance of seeing Scott play).

I'm not even sure I'm free to watch a game until Sunday, and my folks refuse to invest in Tivo technology. Any game report comments would be appreciated.

who goes to make room for his salary? ive concluded andy mac...not burkes kinda guy and making a lot...

I'm not sure--something's got to give. It's almost certain that Scott's not going to be on the books next year, so that helps. Besides that, the biggest dollars are Schneider and Bertuzzi, and despite any signing goodwill, I'd guess one of them gets moved or murdered. McDonald's a distinct possibility as well.

Earl Sleek said...

Wow, is it possible that both Schneider and Bertuzzi might make returns tonight? If so, it would be the first time they've played together since being Red Wings.

RudyKelly said...

I'm a little perplexed by all these big contracts to young players. I mean, one of these guys aren't going to work out. Lombardi has already proven that you can get a player for far less in arbitration, and don't you think the sight of the Ducks picking 1st in the draft next July is going to deter a lot of GMs from extending qualifying offers to young players?

(If that does happen, do you think Kevin Lowe will only be fired? It kind of seems like they should tar and feather him too or something, right? Maybe burn his house to the ground and salt his land.)

Earl Sleek said...

Burke probably already has plans to unveil a statue outside the Honda Center of Kevin Lowe throwing hand grenades, just to piss the Oilers off.

bri-bot said...

i'm digging the cartoon :)

Anonymous said...

hey sleek as long as that statue replaces the one in front of the ponda now im all with you

Earl Sleek said...

Well, at least I didn't get my eyes dirty watching that garbage.

I'm willing to cede 10 points to the Stars if the Ducks can just stop playing them this year; it's really a lame series if the Ducks don't plan on showing up.