Budget issues for next season

Bob Murray, the Ducks General Manager, might have some problems approaching him this summer. We know from recent years that the club isn't willing to spend up to the cap, there's an internal budget that Murray has to take into consideration when building his team.


With Bobby Ryan being in for a big raise this summer, and with the potential extensions with veterans Saku Koivu, Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne, Murray probably has to move some names. But considering it's those four players causing the problems, you can call the issue quite pleasant.

Koivu has already expressed strong interest in staying in Anaheim, and a new deal with him is likely to be made. It would also help in terms of bringing his close friend Teemu Selanne back, obviously.

Bob Murray has stated that he's going to listen to offers, and that changes will be made. My guess is that he wants to add another top four defenseman, maybe two if the Ducks can't agree with James Wisniewski on a new contract.

And this is where the budget issue comes in. Let's say that Niedermayer and Selanne comes back, and that Ryan, Wisniewski and Koivu are re-signed along with some of the depth players, the club would likely be at 53-55 mil USD in terms of actual salary for next season. Which is a bit higher than the Ducks likely wants to be.

So how is Murray gonna end up getting a top four defenseman? Trades are likely to be made. Jason Blake has had a strong end of the season so perhaps there is a couple of teams that would be interested in him despite his cap hit. Joffrey Lupul is another candidate who because of his age and scoring upside holds some value. However, with his recent injury and surgery, trading him in the summer could be difficult. Also, with his play prior to the injury, I think Murray would rather not trade Joffrey Lupul unless he thinks that he can't come back to his top level.

Steve Eminger could be another guy who might have to leave. Todd Marchant is important to the club with his experience, but given that the Ducks only wanted to sign him to a one year deal last year, his future with the club is a little uncertain.

If Murray want's to add a top four defenseman, a couple of players must go. But there is another way out from the problem. If they agree to, Bobby Ryan and James Wisniewski can get backloaded contracts, meaning that they'll earn more money in future years than next season. It might still not be enough to solve things completely, but the amount of trades that Murray would have to do could be significantly less.

A pleasent issue or not, Murray will have much work in front of him if Selanne and Niedermayer comes back.