Ducks seeking Help on the Blue-line

Currently the Anaheim Ducks are the favorites to win this years Presidents Trophy. They sit first place overall in the league and aren't showing signs of slowing down (32-10-6). The Ducks are playing well and everyone is contributing throughout the lineup. The dynamic duo of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are connecting and when healthy putting pucks in the back of the net. The Ducks have four lines performing every night and shutting down some of the best players in the league. Their large, strong and have great skill with the puck. Another strong area the Ducks are performing in is goaltending. Fredrick Andersen when healthy has been playing very well. All though he hasn't seen much rest posting a number of back to back starts this season, his statistical numbers are still strong. He is currently posting a record of 27-6-5 with a save percentage of .919 and a goals against of 2.24. The young goaltender has recorded three shutouts so far this season for the Ducks. In December the Anaheim Ducks brought in a former face by signing backup net-minder Ilya Bryzgalov to a one year deal. This move gives the Ducks depth going down the stretch into the Playoffs and a solid chance to win games on the nights Andersen does get off. If there is one area the Ducks could improve in would their defensive core. The Ducks core is made up of three puck moving young guns who are currently combined for 20 goals and 73 points this season. These players include Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen. The veteran leadership on the backend is controlled by Francois Beauchemin and players like Ben Lovejoy and Clayton Stoner. The Ducks also have veteran Eric Brewer (broken foot) but has been limited to only two games with the club since being a acquired on November 28. The Ducks blue-line is lacking leadership outside of Beauchemin, and are searching for a strong right sided veteran defensemen that can move the puck but also play a defensive game in their own zone.

The Ducks General Manager Bob Murray has been working the phones to seek a player that fits that criteria.

Sources at TSN (Darren Dreger) and Sportsnet (Elliotte Friedman) are reporting that the Anaheim Ducks have reached out to the Toronto Maple Leafs regarding defensemen Cody Franson. Cody is currently in his last season with the Leafs and is set to become a UFA July 1st. Although Cody Franson's agent is in Toronto for the next few days to speak with Cody and talk with the Toronto Maple Leafs about an extension. It is believed that the Leafs will be sending Franson a contract offer but it won't be anywhere near what he would like to get and what he could get on the open market July 1st. The highest sought-after defense has said in a number of recent interviews that he wants to be a Maple Leaf and stay with the organization long term. Reports are surfacing that Cody Franson wants to sign a deal in the area of 6 or 7 years at average cap hit between $5.5 - $6.5 million. Which is a big upgrade from his past 1 year deals and his recent one worth $3.3 million. If these reports are correct, the Leafs won't be able to fulfill Fransons demands and would trade the veteran before the NHL Trade Deadline on March 2nd at 3pm. The rumors of a possible Franson trade shouldn't be a surprise to Leaf fans. In the summer the Leafs had a deal in place to send Cody Franson to Montreal in exchange for Josh Georges. The trade wasn't able to be completed to due Georges not being comfortable being dealt to the Maple Leafs. After the deal fell through the Leafs decided to sign Franson to a one year deal making me a UFA in 2015. It's been reported that if the Maple Leafs do choose to trade Franson, they would like to receive a young roster player aged 22-25 to help reform the core of the team.

The Anaheim Ducks would be the team that could meet the Maple Leafs request for a young player in return. The Ducks are strong in depth throughout the lineup and can afford to make a trade with a young player involved.

Looking throughout the Ducks lineup, there is a number of players that could make a trade happen between these two teams. Below are five possible trade ideas the Ducks could considered in acquiring Cody Franson.

1.Colby Robak and 2nd round pick (2015)

2. Colby Robak and Nicolas Kerdiles

3. Max Friberg and Colby Robak

4. Kyle Palmieri

5. Emerson Etem

If the Maple Leafs decide to not trade Cody Franson or if the price is to high, and another team (Dallas) could offer a better deal. The Ducks could look elsewhere in the NHL to upgrade at defense. Other reports in the league are stating that Edmonton Oilers defense Jeff Petry is available, Arizona Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Andrej Sekera.

All would receive interest from a number of NHL teams pushing for a playoff spot. The Ducks are believed to be going all in this season and believe they have a good chance at winning the Stanley Cup. Oilers Jeff Petry was linked to rumors surrounding the Ducks at the start of the season but no trade was worked out. If Murray is interested in upgrading defense, Petry would be his last resort and a low cost defense that could help push the Ducks to that next level. His numbers this season for Edmonton haven't been impressive and wouldn't cost Anaheim more then a 3rd round draft pick to acquire his services.

Reports have been surrounding the Arizona Coyotes for quiet sometime. Their believed to be ready to start a rebuild and willing to sell of veterans for assets to build around. Its believed that Arizona is looking for young players/prospects or draft picks in return for these players that are available. The Anaheim would be interested in Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek who is set be a UFA July 1st. Michalek fits what the Ducks are looking for and has showed he can perform at a high level and help push the Ducks through the playoffs. His price would be a little higher then Petrys but wouldn't cost the Ducks anything more then a 2nd round pick.

Out of the four defensemen Carolina Hurricanes Andrej Sekera would be the least likely to be moved, but could happen on March 2. Sekera is a skilled defensemen and would bring his strong leadership skills to the Ducks. The reason why he may not be dealt is because he wants to stay in Carolina, and they'd like to keep him. The Hurricanes are currently short in depth for defense and could use his services for many more seasons. If a contract extension can't be reached by March 2, I do believe the Canes will trade him to a contending team. If the Ducks have interest in the Slovakia native, they will have to offer a deal like the one for Franson. Any one of the five trade offers mentioned above would help them acquire Sekera services.

These are reported players that are available in the trade market but are set to become UFA's on July 1st. All four of these defensemen would be on a rental bases unless the Anaheim Ducks are able to resign them before July 1st. The Ducks main goal this season is to win the Stanley Cup and many believe they're willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that. They currently are playing like a cup contender and have good odds of capturing hockey's greatest prize. It's uncertain if the Ducks will make a upgrade on the backend but it is certain they're making calls to see whose available. All of these questions will be answered in the coming weeks leading up the Trade Deadline on March 2nd.

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