LOTS OF HELP WANTED
THE ACCELERATED rebuild is in vogue in the NHL these days. We’ll find out soon if GM Bob Murray wants to go that route or if he prefers the slow, methodical approach. The Ducks need help virtually everywhere, and they have the cap room to push the pace with a few free-agent signings. That doesn’t seem to be Murray’s style, though, so don’t be surprised to see Anaheim instead wait for bargain deals later on in free agency. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Only Detroit and L.A. have scored fewer goals the past two seasons. The transition to the kiddie corps didn’t materialize. Sam Steel, Troy Terry, Max Jones, Max Comtois and Isac Lundestrom combined for 23 goals in 215 games – an 82-game pace of nine goals apiece. They were sheltered in the bottom six, but it didn’t matter. More experience is needed up front. LONG-TERM NEEDS: The Ducks are loaded with young talent at forward. Their first two picks in the past four drafts have all been centers or wingers. It’s time to beef up the blueline. Down the stretch this season, stopgaps Matt Irwin and Christian Djoos were playing top-four minutes out of desperation. Only four defensemen are signed for next season, and there aren’t any A-list prospects in the system. CAP SITUATION: Anaheim has scads of salary-cap space with no RFAs or UFAs commanding big pay hikes. So Murray has the opportunity to go big-game hunting or maintain the internal rebuild on a lower budget.
IN THE SYSTEM 2020-21: Trevor Zegras was voted the No. 2 NHL-affiliated prospect in Future Watch. He’ll be a rookie pro next year. On defense, the door is open for Josh Mahura to make the jump for good after a couple of impressive trial runs the past two seasons. DID YOU KNOW: Axel Andersson came over from Boston in the Ondrej Kase deadline deal. He was a second-round pick out of Djurgarden in 2018 and the ‘D’ partner of Kings 2019 first-rounder Tobias Bjornfot. Future roommates in greater Los Angeles?