Ducks/Rangers; Sbisa Extension etc.

 

Tonight is the Ducks’ last game against an Eastern Conference opponent, hopefully until June, as the Rangers come to Anaheim.  The Ducks currently sit in 11th place in the West and represent the last team still really contending for a playoff spot.  With a win the Ducks will move into a three way tie for the eight seed with LA and Minnesota and lead that trio by virtue of a game in hand on the Wild and more non-shootout victories than the Kings. 

It is liberating not to have to worry about giving away a charity point and just root for two points by any means necessary.  It would be nice if it was before the shootout, for tie-breaking purposes and because New York is a killer in shootouts.  They are tied with the Kings for the best shootout record in the league 7-2, but I’m getting ahead of myself, it’s all about getting two points.

Lots of news came out of yesterday’s practice from Eric Stephens at the OC Register.  First of all, Luca Sbisa signed a four year contract extension with a $2.175 million cap hit.   According to USA Today, Sbisa’s salary increases gradually from $1.2 million next year to $2 million the year after, $2.6 million in 2013-’14 and $2.9 million in the final year.  At the end of the contract he’ll be 25 years old, just beginning the prime of his career (hopefully) and will still be a Restricted Free Agent in the summer of 2015. 

I don’t see anything wrong with the deal.  Randy Carlyle said that they only see Sbisa getting better, as one would expect with a 21-year-old defenseman, and this deal bears that out.  The only negative comment I’ve read about it is from Puck Daddy, saying that it may be a little much considering the Ducks aren’t buying any unrestricted years of his contract.  As with any move a GM makes, time will tell, but for now I’m pretty happy about it.  Sbisa and Cam Fowler are the building blocks of this defense for years to come and this is a  step toward securing that future.

On a more immediate note, Saku Koivu participated in a full practice on the second line yesterday for the first time since suffering a groin injury just over two weeks ago.  It’s up to Koivu to decide when he is ready to play again, the team desperately needs him back on that line with Teemu and the games are worth so much right now, but I’d still like to see him sit out for at least tonight just to get an extra two days of rest on that groin to reduce the probability of a recurrence. 

Ray Emery has been recalled from Syracuse after a 3-1 win on Monday morning.  The Ducks don’t have any back to back games until the 23rd and 24th so the odds of Emery starting are theoretically still pretty low, but his success in the American League inspires some confidence in his ability to come in as a backup if necessary at any time.  Jonas Hiller’s status remains mysterious.  The best sign for Hiller is that he and Sbisa (on xm yesterday) have both said it is a matter of time, which isn’t saying much.