| The Anaheim Duck Report |
Anaheim, Ca.- Following the team's fifth first round playoff exit in six years,
Anaheim's GM/Owner Mark Kopsack told sources close to the team that changes
were afoot. "Our roster was aging, our prospect pool was thinning a bit, and our
team, quite frankly, had underachieved for the sixth straight year. It is time for
change."
Veteran Players Dealt During 2009 Entry Draft
Over $12.5 million in salary were trimmed when Daniel Alfredsson and defensemen
Roman Hamrlik were dealt during Round 1 of the 2009 NsHL entry draft. "We were
very pleased to get two top picks (Nazem Kadri, and Louis Leblanc) in exchange for
Alfredsson, however, losing a player such as he is never easy to do," Kopsack said.
Roman Hamrlik was traded to the Washington Capitals for a third round pick (Josh
Birkholz).
2009 Entry Draft
At the 2009 NsHL entry draft GM/Owner Mark Kopsack found himself with 4
selections inside the top two rounds (three of which were in the first round) after
making a couple of trades. The Ducks were all about high-powered offense as they
selected Nazem Kadri, Louis Leblanc, Kyle Palmieri, and shift winger Richard Panik.
"We felt as though we chose some dynamic players who will eventually make a huge
stamp on our organization," Kopsack said following the draft. The Ducks had four
other picks from the third round through the seventh round and used those picks to
add depth to the prospect pool. "We feel as though we had the best draft of our
team's history, quite frankly," Kopsack concluded
2009 Free Agency
After suffering heavy losses on the veteran front (Dwayne Roloson, Randy
Robitaille, Mark Recchi, Jeremy Roenick, and Jarkko Ruutu) the team had to add
several pieces on the open market. "It was a scary time for the team as we missed out
on several players we were aggressively going after. Namely Roloson." However
persistence coupled with the allmighty dollar prevailed as he team was able to sign
versatile wingers, Kirk Maltby and Jeff Hoggan to the team, while at the same time
adding hard hitting pivot Ian Lapperriere and netminder Patrick Lalime. "We filled
some huge holes with some very capable players," Kopsack told reporters after the
open market closed.
2009 Coaching Change(s)
A month and a half before the season began Kopsack promoted head coach Glen
Sather to the position of Special Projects Coordinator, a position he felt would
strengthen the corporation's upper management structure. "We felt that Glen's
abilities were better served in the front office than behind the bench, plain and
simple," Kopsack told reporters at a recent press conference. Enter the picture: Cory
Clouston. A dynamic, young, energetic and enthusiastic coach who brings an
attacking style of play to the team. Just a few days following Sather's promotion,
Clouston was hired as the team's new bench boss. "Cory, thus far, has done his part
to change the entire climate and locker room environment of this hockey club and it
was something that was sorely overdue," Kopsack told reporters today.
Guy Carbonneau, a defensive minded individual who brings a unique attitude behind
the bench, was added to the organization as the Louisville Thunder head coach. "With
Cory and Guy I think we have the league's best pair of coaches, I really do," Kopsack
beamed.
2009 Preseason
The 2009-2010 season brings a fresh set of expectations to the table for the Anaheim
organization. "The players look younger, faster, tougher, and a much more physical
team than a year ago, believe it or not," said a season ticket holder who we found
leaving training camp. "We expect some big things out of David (Krejci) who will be
playing between Dustin Penner and Mike Comrie on the team's second line. Ryan
(Getzlaf) and Alexei (Kovalev) will be relied on to put the puck in the back of the net,
as usual," head coach Clouston told reporters. "Our defense is as mobile, hard hitting,
and tough as ever. Hopefully, this league leading core of defensemen from last season
will be one year better and one year tougher," Clouston added.
Contract Extensions
The Ducks were proud to announce contract extensions to Alexei Kovalev, Brian
Rafalski, Christian Ehrhoff, and Tyler Arnason before the start of preseason. "These
four players are incredibly important to the Anaheim organization and their
willingness to sign with our franchise for several more years will make our team that
much better," Kopsack confirmed.
Anaheim's GM/Owner Mark Kopsack told sources close to the team that changes
were afoot. "Our roster was aging, our prospect pool was thinning a bit, and our
team, quite frankly, had underachieved for the sixth straight year. It is time for
change."
Veteran Players Dealt During 2009 Entry Draft
Over $12.5 million in salary were trimmed when Daniel Alfredsson and defensemen
Roman Hamrlik were dealt during Round 1 of the 2009 NsHL entry draft. "We were
very pleased to get two top picks (Nazem Kadri, and Louis Leblanc) in exchange for
Alfredsson, however, losing a player such as he is never easy to do," Kopsack said.
Roman Hamrlik was traded to the Washington Capitals for a third round pick (Josh
Birkholz).
2009 Entry Draft
At the 2009 NsHL entry draft GM/Owner Mark Kopsack found himself with 4
selections inside the top two rounds (three of which were in the first round) after
making a couple of trades. The Ducks were all about high-powered offense as they
selected Nazem Kadri, Louis Leblanc, Kyle Palmieri, and shift winger Richard Panik.
"We felt as though we chose some dynamic players who will eventually make a huge
stamp on our organization," Kopsack said following the draft. The Ducks had four
other picks from the third round through the seventh round and used those picks to
add depth to the prospect pool. "We feel as though we had the best draft of our
team's history, quite frankly," Kopsack concluded
2009 Free Agency
After suffering heavy losses on the veteran front (Dwayne Roloson, Randy
Robitaille, Mark Recchi, Jeremy Roenick, and Jarkko Ruutu) the team had to add
several pieces on the open market. "It was a scary time for the team as we missed out
on several players we were aggressively going after. Namely Roloson." However
persistence coupled with the allmighty dollar prevailed as he team was able to sign
versatile wingers, Kirk Maltby and Jeff Hoggan to the team, while at the same time
adding hard hitting pivot Ian Lapperriere and netminder Patrick Lalime. "We filled
some huge holes with some very capable players," Kopsack told reporters after the
open market closed.
2009 Coaching Change(s)
A month and a half before the season began Kopsack promoted head coach Glen
Sather to the position of Special Projects Coordinator, a position he felt would
strengthen the corporation's upper management structure. "We felt that Glen's
abilities were better served in the front office than behind the bench, plain and
simple," Kopsack told reporters at a recent press conference. Enter the picture: Cory
Clouston. A dynamic, young, energetic and enthusiastic coach who brings an
attacking style of play to the team. Just a few days following Sather's promotion,
Clouston was hired as the team's new bench boss. "Cory, thus far, has done his part
to change the entire climate and locker room environment of this hockey club and it
was something that was sorely overdue," Kopsack told reporters today.
Guy Carbonneau, a defensive minded individual who brings a unique attitude behind
the bench, was added to the organization as the Louisville Thunder head coach. "With
Cory and Guy I think we have the league's best pair of coaches, I really do," Kopsack
beamed.
2009 Preseason
The 2009-2010 season brings a fresh set of expectations to the table for the Anaheim
organization. "The players look younger, faster, tougher, and a much more physical
team than a year ago, believe it or not," said a season ticket holder who we found
leaving training camp. "We expect some big things out of David (Krejci) who will be
playing between Dustin Penner and Mike Comrie on the team's second line. Ryan
(Getzlaf) and Alexei (Kovalev) will be relied on to put the puck in the back of the net,
as usual," head coach Clouston told reporters. "Our defense is as mobile, hard hitting,
and tough as ever. Hopefully, this league leading core of defensemen from last season
will be one year better and one year tougher," Clouston added.
Contract Extensions
The Ducks were proud to announce contract extensions to Alexei Kovalev, Brian
Rafalski, Christian Ehrhoff, and Tyler Arnason before the start of preseason. "These
four players are incredibly important to the Anaheim organization and their
willingness to sign with our franchise for several more years will make our team that
much better," Kopsack confirmed.
| A New Era in Anaheim |