Anaheim Ducks Projected Roster And Salary Cap Situation

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Nov 18, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) celebrates after scoring a goal with right wing Corey Perry (10) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Part 2 of our preview for the Anaheim Ducks will include a projected opening night roster as well as highlighting any salary cap issues as well as bargains and overpayments.

FORWARDS

Corey Perry – Ryan Getzlaf – Devante Smith-Pelly (RFA)

Emerson Etem – Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg

Kyle Palmieri – Andrew Cogliano – Matt Beleskey

Dany Heatley – Nate Thompson – Patrick Maroon

Extra – Tim Jackman

The forward unit doesn’t look as daunting without the legendary Teemu Selanne or Saku Koivu, but it is time for the young guns to step up. Silfverberg, Smith-Pelly and Etem are all on the rise. Heatley is a puzzling addition and will be interesting to watch and see what he does in this lineup. Kesler was the major add in the off-season. The Ducks have over $33M committed to their forwards, before current restricted free agent Smith-Pelly re-signs.

May 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) is defended by Los Angeles Kings right wing Justin Williams (14) in game six of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Ducks 2-1 to tie the series 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSE

Cam Fowler – Sheldon Souray

Hampus Lindholm – Francois Beauchemin

Clayton Stoner – Sami Vatanen

extras – Bryan Allen, Mark Fistric, Ben Lovejoy

To say the Ducks blue line is crowded would be a severe understatement. With 9 defensemen under contract (8 on 1 way deals), there is the likelihood that they will have to expose at least one of them to waivers unless they can find someone to make a trade with. The big question mark is the oft-injured Souray and the confidence the Ducks have that he can play significant time without getting hurt, if he can play at all after missing last season with yet another wrist injury. Lindholm is the lone defenseman exempt from waivers, and there is no way they are sending him down after an outstanding rookie season. The Ducks have $22.4M committed to the 9 defensemen, and with the numbers as they are you would think they would prefer to move Allen and his $3.5M contract, although with Beauchemin, Allen and Souray all entering the last year of their contracts, this logjam will be short-lived.

May 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) during game six of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Ducks 2-1 to tie the series 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

GOALTENDERS

John Gibson

Frederik Andersen

Jason Labarbera

The Ducks let Jonas Hiller walk as a free agent due to the outstanding prospects of Givson and Andersen. They signed Labarbera as an experienced backup, but he will likely be ticketed to the AHL and only called up if needed. This would expose him to waivers, but there isn’t much likelihood he would be claimed by another team. Gibson and Andersen should have an interesting battle to see who can get the starting job in training camp.

May 16, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne (8) leans against the bench after game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

OVERALL SYNOPSIS

For a team that finished first in the Western Conference standings last season, the Ducks are in very good cap shape. They still have $10M in cap space with most of their most important players (Getzlaf, Perry, Fowler) locked up long-term.