Silly season

Not a lot of rumours floating around at the moment. But I expect that to explode when the Stanley Cup finals are over.

There has been much speculation that Jason Blake or Joffrey Lupul will be the odd man out when (if) the Ducks are getting a new quality defenseman.

There's also been speculation about the possibility of Paul Kariya coming back to Anaheim. I would think there is some interest from his side, getting the chance to play with Teemu Selanne in Anaheim again.

But afterall, he did have that chance when he signed with the Blues three years ago. The differance this time is that he's unlikely to get any big tempting offers this summer. He also knows he has a good chance at getting his jersey honoured if he comes back and retires a Duck.

The Ducks cap situation is what makes it difficult though. If it's between Blake and Lupul when adding a top 4 defenseman, I guess both would have to be gone if the Ducks are going after Kariya as well. If just getting rid of one of them, it would take a big pay cut from Kariya to come back to Anaheim.

The only current rumour out there right now is Joe DiPenta being brought back. He has stated in his blog that he's been talking with the Ducks. But if he's back in the organization, it's likely in a coaching/development role either with Anaheim or Syracuse in the AHL.

If he indeed comes back to Anaheim in such a role, it's not completely off the books that he signs a contract at some point.

For instance, former NHL:er Eric Weinrich was an assistant coach with the Portland Pirates in the AHL during 2006/2007 and 2007/2008. Yet he appeared in 36 games in 2006/2007 and 52 games in 2007/2008 for the club. And he was 40 years old back in the day. Joe DiPenta is currently 31.

Yesterday it also became official that former Ducks defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski is staying in the KHL. After two seasons with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, "Vish" has agreed to a contract with SKA St. Petersburg.