Ducks Sign Patrick Maroon to One-Year Deal

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have re-signed left wing Patrick Maroon to a one-year, two-way contract.  The deal will pay him $550,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level.  He would have been eligible for restricted free agency on July 1.  He was held pointless in two games with the Ducks last season.  He also appeared in 75 games with Syracuse of the AHL, scoring 32 goals and 42 assists for 74 points and 120 penalty minutes.  This is really just a depth signing for the Ducks, as Maroon will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors.  If he does see any NHL action during the 2012-13 season, he will bring plenty of size, strength, and offensive instincts to the checking lines, but only likely as an injury replacement.

Ducks Sign Saku Koivu to One-Year Extension

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed center Saku Koivu to a one-year contract extension worth $3 million.  He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer.  In 74 games this past season, he had 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points.  He missed eight games in December with a lower-body injury.  This is a decent signing for the Ducks, as Koivu brings plenty of leadership and two-way skill to the team, as well as lots of talent on the faceoff.  While his offensive skills have waned over the past few years, he's still a quality player on the ice and will likely center Anaheim's third line next season.

Canucks Acquire Andrew Gordon from Ducks

The Vancouver Canucks remained busy on Trade Deadline Day by acquiring right wing Andrew Gordon from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for minor league defenseman Sebastien Erixon. Both players have one more year left on their current contracts. In 37 games this season with the Ducks, Gordon has two goals and three assists for five points. He also appeared in 19 games with Syracuse of the AHL, scoring three goals and five assists for eight points. Erixon has played in 30 games with Chicago of the AHL, scoring one goal and seven assists for eight points. This is really just a depth move for both teams, as Gordon and Erixon likely won't have much of an impact with their new teams. Gordon will likely play a fourth line role in Vancouver, while Erixon will probably spend the rest of the season in the minors.

Maple Leafs Acquire Mark Fraser from Ducks for Dale Mitchell

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they have acquired defenseman Mark Fraser from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for right wing Dale Mitchell. Both players will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer. Fraser was acquired by the Ducks from the New Jersey Devils this past December in the Kurtis Foster trade. He appeared in four games with the Devils, scoring no points. He also appeared in 25 games with Syracuse of the AHL, scoring five assists. Mitchell played in two games with Toronto of the AHL, scoring no points. He also appeared in 35 games with Reading of the ECHL, scoring 16 goals and 15 assists for 31 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth trade for both teams, as Fraser and Micthell will likely spend the remainder of the season in the minors. Although, the Maple Leafs added a similarly skilled player in Fraser after trading Keith Aulie earlier in the day, so he may have a future with the team. He has good size, some mobility, and still some defensive upside despite struggling at the NHL level in recent years, so the change of scenery may help him out.

Oilers Acquire Bryan Rodney from Ducks for Ryan O'Marra

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have acquired defenseman Bryan Rodney from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for center Ryan O'Marra. In 41 games with Syracuse of the AHL, Rodney had five goals and 15 assists for 20 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game this season. O'Marra appeared in seven games with the Ducks, recording one assist. He also played in 40 games with Oklahoma City of the AHL, scoring eight goals and nine assists for 17 points. This is really just a depth move for both teams, as both players will more than likely finish the season in the minors.

Jets Acquire Maxime Macenauer from Ducks for Riley Holzapfel

The Winnipeg Jets announced on Monday that they have acquired center Maxime Macenauer from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for center Riley Holzapfel. In 29 games with the Ducks, Macenauer had one goal and three assists for four points. He also appeared in 13 games with Syracuse of the AHL, scoring four goals and two assists for six points. In 29 games this season with St. John's of the AHL, Holzapfel has eight goals and seven assists for 15 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth move for both teams, as both players will likely spend most of the rest of the season in the minors. However, Macenauer could potentially see some time with the Jets on their fourth line late in the season if injuries mount. He possesses plenty of speed and some offensive ability, so he's not a bad acquisition for the team. As for the Ducks, Holzapfel will bring some two-way ability to their system and should be a solid addition to their AHL affiliate in Syracuse.

Ducks Sign Francois Beauchemin to Three-Year Extension

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed defenseman Francois Beauchemin to a three-year contract extension worth $10.5 million. The deal will average out to $3.5 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 47 games this season, he has six goals and 12 assists for 18 points. Not a bad signing for the Ducks, as Beauchemin brings a lot of experience to their defense. He has good size, can log lots of minutes, and can play a physical game. He should continue to be a good fit on the team for the next three seasons.

Ducks Acquire Luca Caputi from Maple Leafs for Nicolas Deschamps

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have acquired left wing Luca Caputi from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for left wing Nicolas Deschamps. In 21 games this season with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, Caputi has two goals and one assist for three points. Deschamps has five goals and two assists for seven points in 31 games with Syracuse of the AHL. Not a bad depth move for both teams, as both players do have some offensive upside and the potential to crack an NHL lineup. However, both players have struggled quite a bit offensively in the minors this season, so a change of scenery might help both Caputi and Deschamps get their offensive games back on track.

Jets Claim Ben Maxwell Off Waivers from Ducks

The Winnipeg Jets have announced that they have claimed center Ben Maxwell off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks and assigned him to their AHL affiliate in St. John's. The Ducks had previously claimed him off waivers from the Jets on November 10. In 10 games so far this season with Winnipeg and Anaheim, he has one assist. Not a bad depth move for the Jets, as Maxwell will bring some two-way ability to the team. For now he will stay in the minors and could be called up by Winnipeg if injuries should begin to mount on the forward lines.

Ducks Claim Niklas Hagman Off Waivers from Flames

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have claimed left wing Niklas Hagman off re-entry waivers from the Calgary Flames. Both teams will split the remainder of his $3 million contract this season. In eight games with the Flames this season, he has one goal and three assists for four points. Not a bad move for the Ducks, as Hagman will bring some offensive depth and scoring ability to the wing despite being a bit inconsistent in his scoring. He could end up playing on the Ducks' second line if they decide to give him a fresh start.

Ducks Claim Ben Maxwell Off Waivers from Jets

The Anaheim Ducks announced on Thursday that they have claimed center Ben Maxwell off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets. In four games with the Jets this season, he had no points. Not a bad depth move for the Ducks, as Maxwell will bring some two-way skill to the team. For now, he will likely play on the fourth line.

Ducks Acquire Cumiskey from Avalanche for Newton, Draft Pick

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have acquired defenseman Kyle Cumiskey from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Jake Newton and a seventh round pick in the 2013 Entry Draft. The pick can become a fifth round pick in 2012 if Cumiskey plays in a minimum of 45 NHL games this season. In 18 games last season with the Avalanche, Cumiskey had one goal and seven assists for eight points. He missed 35 games early in the 2010-11 season with a concussion and the last 28 games of the season with another concussion. In 48 games last season with Syracuse of the AHL, Newton had two goals and seven assists for nine points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. Not a bad trade for the Ducks, as Cumiskey is a very mobile defenseman and has some offensive upside. He is currently day to day with a groin injury, but with injuries to Toni Lydman and Kurtis Foster, Cumiskey will be a good replacement until the two blueliners return to the lineup. As for the Avalanche, they have plenty of defensive prospects in the minors with offensive upside, so Cumiskey became expendable. Newton will bring some size to Colorado's blueline, something they've been focusing on adding as of late, so he could see a role on the team's defense in the future.

Ducks Re-Sign Brian McGrattan to One-Year Deal

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have re-signed left wing Brian McGrattan to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $600,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level. He was acquired by the Ducks this past February from the Boston Bruins along with Sean Zimmerman in exchange for David Laliberte and Stefan Chaput. In 59 games with Providence and Syracuse of the AHL, McGrattan had 10 goals and five assists for 15 points and 153 penalty minutes. This is an okay signing for the Ducks, as McGrattan plays with tons of grit and toughness and is a tough fighter who will always stick up for his teammates. However, he tends to take bad penalties as a result of his physical style of play and doesn't have a lot of offensive upside. He will probably spend a lot of time in the minors next season, and if he sees any time with the Ducks, it will likely be on the fourth line.

Ducks Sign Jean-Francois Jacques to One-Year Deal

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed left wing Jean-Francois Jacques to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $650,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level. In 51 games last season with the Edmonton Oilers, he had four goals and one assist for five points and 63 penalty minutes. This is really just a depth signing for the Ducks, as Jacques will likely start the season in the minors given the offensive depth already on the team for next season. If he sees any time with Anaheim in 2011-12, it will likely be on the fourth line, where he will provide the team with plenty of grit and toughness.

Ducks Sign Bryan Rodney to One-Year Contract

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed defenseman Bryan Rodney to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $525,000 at the NHL level and $250,000 at the AHL level. In three games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, he had no points. He also appeared in 77 games with Charlotte of the AHL, scoring nine goals and 38 assists for 47 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Ducks, as Rodney will likely spend most of next season in the minors. If he sees any time with the Ducks in 2011-12, it will likely be as an injury replacement.

Ducks Sign Andrew Gordon to One-Year Deal

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed right wing Andrew Gordon to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In nine games last season with the Washington Capitals, he had one goal and one assist. He also appeared in 50 games with Hershey of the AHL, scoring 28 goals and 29 assists for 57 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Ducks, although it's not a bad one. Gordon works hard on the ice, plays with plenty of energy, and can produce points at the minor-league level. Given the offensive depth on Anaheim's roster for next season, he will likely spend the majority of the season in the minors.

***UPDATE***
Gordon's contract is actually a two-year deal worth $525,000 at the NHL level and $250,000 at the AHL level for the 2011-12 season and $550,000 for the 2012-13 season.

Oilers Acquire Andy Sutton from Ducks for Kurtis Foster

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have acquired defenseman Andy Sutton from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Kurtis Foster. Both players have one year remaining on their current contracts. In 39 games last season with the Ducks, Sutton had four assists and 87 penalty minutes. He missed 21 games with a thumb injury. Foster had eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points in 74 games with the Oilers. Not a bad move for both teams. Sutton will bring some much needed grit to Edmonton's blueline, as well as lots of toughness. Foster brings plenty of offensive skill and a good shot to Anaheim's defense. He is also excellent on the power play, so he should see lots of time on the power play with the Ducks.

Todd Marchant Announces His Retirement

After 17 seasons in the NHL, Anaheim Ducks center Todd Marchant has announced his retirement. He will stay with the team as the director of player development. He was eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1. In 79 games last season with the Ducks, he had one goal and seven assists for eight points. In 1195 career NHL games with the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Anaheim Ducks, he had 186 goals and 312 assists for 498 points. He won the Stanley Cup in 2007 as a member of the Ducks. Marchant was always an excellent penalty killer and defensive forward throughout his career who also had good leadership qualities. His defensive prowess on the checking lines will surely be missed in Anaheim next season. I wish him all the best in retirement and in his new position with the team.

Paul Kariya Announces His Retirement

After 15 seasons in the NHL, left wing Paul Kariya has announced his retirement due to post-concussion symptoms. He was forced to miss the entire 2010-11 season due to those symptoms. In 75 games with the St. Louis Blues during the 2009-10 season, he had 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points. In 989 career NHL games with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues, Kariya has 402 goals and 587 assists for 989 points. He won the Hobey Baker Award in 1993 as the top U.S. collegiate hockey player, the Lady Byng Trophy in 1996 and 1997 for sportsmanship, and Olympic Silver and Gold Medals in 1994 and 2002, respectively. Kariya was an excellent forward throughout his career who had superb offensive and puckmoving skills, lots of speed, and plenty of playmaking ability. It's always unfortunate to see a player have their career come to an end because of an injury and it's a shame to see Kariya's end his because of a concussion. He was always an exciting player to watch and I wish him all the best in retirement.

Ducks Sign Nate Guenin to Two-Year Contract

According to thehockeynews.com, the Anaheim Ducks have signed defenseman Nate Guenin to a two-year contract extension. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He was acquired by the Ducks from the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 4 in exchange for Trevor Smith. In three games this past season with the Blue Jackets, Guenin had no points. He did not appear in any games with the Ducks. He also played in 73 games with Syracuse and Springfield of the AHL, scoring two goals and 15 assists for 17 points and 65 penalty minutes. This is really just a depth signing for the Ducks, as Guenin will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors.