Free agency... frenzy?

The NHL teams that will hit the ice for the beginning of the 2010-11 season are going to look considerably different from the teams that left it a few weeks ago.

Our Anaheim Ducks are no exception.

What with captain Scott Niedermayer retiring, Ducks have some big holes to fill.

Typically, this time of the year is buzzing with trade news and signings. This summer seems a little quiet... or maybe that's because the Ducks haven't been dealing any big names. Yours truly actually started writing this post weeks ago. Then I decided to wait for more Ducks news before publishing.

I'm still waiting.

To date, we have the following changes to the Ducks roster:

- Left winger Logan MacMillan was traded to the Calgary Flames for left wing/center Jason Jaffray

- Former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Toni Lydman was signed to a three-year contract

- Center Saku Koivu was re-signed to a two-year contract (Personally, this news made my day!)

- Center Trevor Smith, formerly of the New York Islanders, was signed to a one-year contract

- Left wingers Aaron Voros and Ryan Hillier of the New York Rangers were acquired for defenseman Steve Eminger

- Left winger Josh Green inked a one-year contract

- Defenseman Brendan Mikkelson continues on as a Duck with a one-year contract

- Left winger Matt McCue (along with his sharp right hook) was traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for left winger Tomas Zaborsky

- Defenseman Danny Syvret, formerly with the Philadelphia Flyers, was inked to a one-year contract

- Defenseman Cam Fowler, the Ducks first overall pick at this year's draft, signed a three-year entry-level contract

- Defenseman James Wisniewski agreed to a one-year contract with the Ducks, only to be traded to the New York Islanders for a third round 2011 draft pick later that same day

I'm not sure what Bob Murray is up to, but he better not be finished yet. Somebody better be helping Lubomir Visnovsky with that blue line, and serious ink needs to be spilled as far as Bobby Ryan and Teemu Selanne are concerned!

Prospect Camp

Yours truly hasn't gotten too heavily involved with our Anaheim Ducks prospects and draft picks in seasons past, but being hockey deprived since the season's end drove myself and many other Ducks fans to Anaheim Ice this past week to watch our new Ducklings participate in prospect camp.

Scrimmages were open to the public on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings.

Just a few casual observations:

- Dan Sexton, having not attended a prospect camp, showed off his speed and puck handling skills.

- 2010 draft pick Kevin Lind looked good holding up the blue line.

- Ex-assistant coach Newell Brown's son, Adam, showed us some of his netminding skills.

- Kyle Palmieri is a name I want to see come up from the minors this season. The kid has speed, smooth hands, and a shooting patience reminiscent of Corey Perry.

- 2010 draft pick Devante Smith-Pelly plays a gritty style and boasts a frame that will only fill out in the upcoming years.

- We were also excited to see Ducks' 2010 first round draft picks Cam Fowler and Emerson Etem show us why they went 12th and 29th overall, respectively.

And a few pictures:

Big crowds at Anaheim Ice




Timo Pielmeier between the pipes




Cam Fowler on a one-on-one rush


Defensemen Scott Valentine and Mat Clark defend against right winger Justin Vaive


Marco Cousineau and Nick Bonino




Cam Fowler helping Marco Cousineau defend the goal




Kyle Palmieri and Adam Brown at the bench


Devante Smith-Pelly skates to a halt after the whistle


The guys stretch after 60 minutes of play

2010 NHL Entry Draft

The NHL Entry Draft isn't something that comes to town every year, especially not to us Southern Californian markets. So, despite an 8-hour work shift at the job that actually pays the bills, yours truly made the 1.5-hour drive (including traffic) up to the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Outside the front entrance to the Staples Center, local radio stations, local minor leagues, and the LA Kings media had set up stands to welcome hockey fans and curious passersby to the festivities.


LA Live, decked out in hockey decor

Once inside the arena, vendors dotted the outer concourse. All of the NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup, were on display. As is always the case at Staples, lots of Kings-clad fans walked the grounds; but also in attendance, a fair share of Anaheim Ducks fans and a modest showing of fans representing the other 28 franchises.

Yours truly was excited just to see so much hockey in one place! (Yes, it's going to be a long summer)


NHL hardware


Lord Stanley, we meet again!


The view from the 300 level


The main stage, where new draftees received hats, jerseys, and handshakes from their new franchises


TV coverage for everyone watching at home



I will admit, the only reason I found the Ducks table was by spotting the one and only Scott Niedermayer sitting at the upper right corner. Scotty would hand the Ducks' 12th and 29th picks their new Ducks jerseys.


Scotty watching the jumbotron



Surprised that he was still available by the time the 12th pick came around, the Ducks took 6'1" 190lb defenseman Cam Fowler. He's a left-shooting defenseman from the Windsor Spitfires, said to be a good puck-handler and puck-possessor who sees the ice well and controls the tempo of the game. He's compared to Tomas Kaberle and Jack Johnson.


Ducks take defenseman Cam Fowler for their 1st pick, 12th overall


For their 2nd pick in the first round, Ducks take Emerson Etem, 29th overall

A speedy right winger who shoots left, Emerson Etem is a local hockey boy from Long Beach, CA with lots of promise. He mirrors himself after Marian Gaborik and has been likened to Glenn Anderson and Joffrey Lupul.

The second day of the draft saw far fewer fans in attendance. Six more rounds landed the Ducks six more draft picks: right winger Devante Smith-Pelly, right winger Chris Wagner (Toronto's 122nd pick in exchange for Mike Brown), defenseman Tim Heed, center Andreas Dahlstrom, defenseman Kevin Lind, and right winger Brett Perlini.


Ex-Ducks GM Brian Burke, possibly discussing his trade involving Ducks forward Mike Brown

Overall, I think the Ducks did well with their draft picks. I will be very sorry to see Mike Brown go; he consistently played with heart and determination, always bringing 110% to the ice. Hopefully he'll see a lot more ice time with the Leafs.

The next items of business for GM Bob Murray should be securing Saku Koivu and Bobby Ryan.

Oh Captain, my Captain

Only two franchises in the NHL can say they've had Scott Niedermayer on their roster: the New Jersey Devils, who drafted Scotty at the beginning of his 18-year NHL career, and the Anaheim Ducks, who would be the last to have Scotty skate on its home ice.

You don't have to be a Ducks fan or a Devils fan to appreciate what Scott Niedermayer has accomplished, and what he has meant for the sport of hockey. The man continues to be the most decorated athlete in the sport, honored with four Stanley Cups, two Olympic Gold Medals, World Cup, World Championship, Memorial Cup, and World Junior title. He did it all with the quiet professionalism Ducks fans, including yours truly, had come to know and love.

He has done more for the franchise than anyone could hope to recognize, and his influence will live on in the careers of every young rookie Scott Niedermayer exchanged words or glances with in the locker room. As hockey fans, we are so lucky to have seen this phenomenal athlete in action on a regular basis.

And even though the Duck faithful will be eager to fill the seats of the Ponda once again with the start of the 2010-11 season this autumn, it won't ever be quite the same without number 27 on the ice.

Thank you for everything you've done, Scotty, we'll miss you.

Headlines

It's been a while since the last entry in this blog. But I do hope you all enjoyed the exclusive interview with Bobby Ryan. Since then, a few notables:

- The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. Kudos to the Hawks and Philadelphia Flyers for giving us a gripping series which ended with a Game 6 complete with overtime. As much as it would have satisfied yours truly to see ex-Duck Chris Pronger hoist Stanley again, it's also nice to have the Cup in the Western Conference. It was also nice to see personal favorite ex-Duck Nick Boynton get some time holding Stanley over his head.

- Sheldon Brookbank signed a two-year extension with the Ducks. This is a good thing. Brookbank showed improvement and promise in his past season with the Ducks and, seeing as Captain Scott Neidermayer may not be coming back next season, our Ducks will need all the help they can get on that blue line.

- Kyle Chipchura inked a one-year contract extension with the Ducks. Picked up from the Montreal Habs last season, Chipchura's grit and willingness to drop the gloves quickly made him a fan favorite. We'll be happy to see him back next season.

- Still pending, contract negotiations for Bobby Ryan. Bobby will be a restricted free agent come July 1st. The fact that we haven't re-signed him yet has yours truly, along with plenty of other Duck faithful, nervous. C'mon Murray, if you know what's good for you and your team, you'll sign this boy pronto.

- Also still pending, news from our Finnish duo. Rumor has it that both Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu will return for another season with the Ducks. I'm hoping these rumors prove to be true. Our Fins, along with linemate Jason Blake, finally found their groove towards the later half of last season. Given Selanne keeps his jaw and hands away from flying pucks, these three look poised and ready for a kickass final season together.

- The official 2010-11 NHL schedule will be announced on Tuesday, June 22. Grab your calendars and get those vacation plans penciled in. The Phoenix Coyotes have already announced their preseason schedule. Their first game, scheduled for September 21, is against the Ducks here in Anaheim.

- Los Angeles will host the 2010 NHL Draft next weekend. Yours truly will be there with Baby Rebel, hoping to bring you the scoop. Anaheim will pick 12th and 29th. They better make those picks good, I want another Stanley Cup in Anaheim's not-too-distant future!