12/21/24
July 19, 2003
The Anaheim Mighty Ducks have lost Paul Kariya (and Adam Oates) but have added Vaclav Prospal and, now, Sergei Fedorov. So, do these gains mean they at least come out even over this offseason?
Almost. I watch mostly Eastern teams play during the year, so I'm one of those guys that thinks Anaheim's appearance in the finals was a fluke. It willl be interesting to see if Federov can change my mind. I wonder if Kariya and Selanne are thinking they could have gone to Anaheim now?
posted by Samsonov14 at 02:03 PM on July 19, 2003
Hey Samsonov14, there you are. How is your interview in the locker room going? No bites yet from you. But yeah, Kariya is talented but to replace him and Oates with Fedorov and Prospal would be something that Ducks fans and get some hope out from. BUT If Kariya and Selanne went to Anaheim there would be no addition of Fedorov and Prospal. I have to think that Sergei was brought in as a replacement for Kariya and, at best, Prospal was brought in to fill the loss of Oates. If Kariya had stayed I don't think they'd have added Fedorov or Selanne. Unless Selanne had decided he was in for a one season contract at $1.25m or whatever it was Kariya signed with the Avs for. I also say it is close to a break even. The team is more confident defense-wise and should/could move up a notch or two in the West standings but I don't imagine they make it into the top 4. I'd see Detroit Colorado Vancouver and St Louis as the top 4. In some order. Sergei Hollywood Fedorov here we come.
posted by gspm at 06:43 PM on July 19, 2003
My poor Sharks... Anyone think they can even make it back to the playoffs this year? Maybe since they seem to be getting all their signings done early, few or no training camp holdouts, and a new GM. Still, no major additions or even particularly minor ones either. I'm wondering if the new ownership is writing this season off in order to see what happens with the next contract round or just getting cheap quick.
posted by billsaysthis at 08:17 PM on July 19, 2003
This is a brilliant move for Sergei. The Wings, being so talent-laden, never gave him enough ice-time(according to him) to let his talents manifest themselves thoroughly. When Sergei is double-shifted and plays the roaming defensive-transitional offensive center, he is at his best. You don't take a Ferrari to the corner store, you take it to work. With Kariya out, this is Fedorov's team now. Prospal ain't no Oates, but he was the leading scorer on the 'Ning last season ahead of St.Louis, Richards and Lecavalier, 5th in the League for Assists, and is approaching the upside of his career's peak...basically good for a point-per-game on a young and upcoming team. As gspm notes, its a wash on paper. Its a great move for Sergei's career, and finally Prospal has escaped the spotlight of a 1st round pick captain and the little guy that shouldn't. If Giggy, (can the pantheon please come up with an alternative.) can stay true to form, I see the Ducks making the top 8 out West.
posted by garfield at 11:12 AM on July 20, 2003
The Ducks play good defensive hockey, and, believe it or not, Fedorov is actually a two-way forward who's won the Frank Selke trophy for best defensive forward. He'll add to both dimensions of the Ducks game and probably score more than Kariya was. Adding Prospal was brilliant in my opinion. When the Ducks are in the playoffs and Fedorov is scoring, the Ducks will be saying, "Kariya who?" I only wish the Leafs had picked someone up.
posted by insomnyuk at 09:20 AM on July 21, 2003
Oh, but we got Marchment. What a sound management decision, considering the overwhelming displays of self-control last season, hell the last few seasons.
posted by garfield at 09:40 AM on July 21, 2003
In Leafs land maybe Owen Nolan is still new enough that he is almost like an addition to the team next year. He joined the Leafs, was on a tear, got injured and stopped contributing. So when the opening day roster has Nolan would be an improvement on the team that ended the season (err, the loss of Wesley and Svehla being other matters of course).
posted by gspm at 12:03 PM on July 21, 2003
Tverdovsky will more than make up for the Leafs' loss of Svehla (when Svehla is finally bought out), Wesley leaves a bigger hole that will have to be filled from within the system or by trade.
posted by kickerofelves at 12:33 PM on July 21, 2003
People have expected Federov to take off this year for a long time. Many of the fans here (in Detroit) just didn't warm back up to him after his hold season in 98. Federov wants to the one and only superstar of a team, something that wasn't going to happen with the Wings. The only thing that shocked me is that he wnt to Anaheim and not LA.
posted by tj at 12:58 PM on July 21, 2003
My bold prediction - taking the above comments into account: Anahiem finsihes with a better record than the Leafs. Better goaltending, better coaching and a commitment to a system. It's arguable that they now have more depth than T.O, too - though the Prospal signing is a crapshoot to me - we've seen the one-hit wonder type before - guy takes 4 teams and the first 6 years of a career to have a good season, then finds it completely impossible to duplicate. I'd be concerned if I were Ed Belfour, looking at a defence that is worse than last year - with Marchment being your 3rd best. Federov is a terrific player though, now more underrated than ever - he'll do well in the Pond.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:31 PM on July 21, 2003
Now this is interesting: Quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The 33-year-old centre - who signed with the Ducks on Saturday - has three options in the summer of 2005 following his second season with the Ducks: -He can opt for the remaining three years on his contract; -He can opt for only one more year; -He can declare himself an unrestricted free agent." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read it all here
posted by NoMich at 02:58 PM on July 21, 2003
I am retarded. Good link here.
posted by NoMich at 03:00 PM on July 21, 2003
Quite a backdoor contract, eh? I guess that's what you can get when you settle for less cash. He was initially looking for $10m/year, right?
posted by garfield at 03:17 PM on July 21, 2003
I think they've done well. Kariya was always shadowed by defenders who wanted to shut down the Anaheim offence. With 2 quality scorers, plus the existing players, it might be more difficult to do this. If I were Babcock, I'd keep them on different lines, though, to spread out the offence.