Thompson and Others To Test Free Agent Market

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks completed their 2017 draft today and also re-signed Patrick Eaves to a three-year deal. Some players may not be returning for the 2017-18 season, however.

Ducks General Manager has talked to Nate Thompson and he has “expressed a huge interest to go to the free-agent market” per the Associated Press. Thompson played in only 30 games last season for Anaheim, recording one goal and one assist. Thompson ruptured his Achille’s’ tendon prior to the 2016-17 season campaign. He did appear in all 17 of the Ducks playoff games this postseason, recording two goals and four assists.

It also sounds like Korbinian Holzer, Jhonas Enroth, and Jonathan Bernier could also be on the move according to the Orange County Register. All three are unrestricted free agents(UFA) who can look to play for a different team next season. Holzer played in 32 games for Anaheim last season, recording two goals and five assists. He has played the 7th or 8th defensemen role for the past two seasons for Anaheim. He would likely not return to Anaheim especially if Sami Vatanen stays.

Bernier was the primary backup to John Gibson last year. Bernier posted a 21-7-4 record with a goals-against average 2.50 of and save percentage of .915%. He did struggle when he had to come in for the injured Gibson in the Ducks final two playoffs games this postseason. Despite the good regular season numbers, the poor playoff performance might be cause enough for Murray to not re-sign him.

The Ducks could try to keep Enroth and promote him to Gibson’s back-up, but it appears like he is testing the market too. This leaves Anaheim with Dustin Tokarski, Kevin Boyle, Ryan Faragher, Angus Redmond, and Matt Hackett, who have all spent time in the Ducks minor league system. All are under contract or a restricted free agent(RFA) this summer, except for Hackett who is a UFA.

If the Ducks do lose Bernier and Enroth, then they may look to the goalies who are unrestricted free agents(UFAs) this offseason. Below is a chart by Spotrac listing some of the top goalies available including Bernier and Enroth.

Player	Team	Status	Age	GP	Wins	GAA	SV%	2016-17 Cap Hat
Ryan Miller	VAN	UFA	36	54	18	2.8	0.914	$6,000,000
Jonathan Bernier	ANA	UFA	28	39	21	2.5	0.915	$4,150,000
Steve Mason	PHI	UFA	29	58	26	2.66	0.908	$4,100,000
Ondrej Pavelec	WPG	UFA	29	8	4	3.55	0.888	$3,900,000
Brian Elliott	CGY	UFA	32	49	26	2.55	0.91	$2,500,000
Chad Johnson	AZ	UFA	31	36	18	2.59	0.91	$1,700,000
Darcy Kuemper	MIN	UFA	27	18	8	3.13	0.902	$1,550,000
Reto Berra	FLA	UFA	30	7		3.45	0.876	$1,450,000
Anders Nilsson	BUF	UFA	27	26	10	2.67	0.923	$1,000,000
Curtis McElhinney	TOR	UFA	34	21	8	2.7	0.917	$800,000
Jhonas Enroth	ANA	UFA	28	6		3.94	0.872	$750,000
Sam Brittain	FLA	UFA	25					$750,000

 

Follow all the Ducks moves this summer by visiting our Anaheim Ducks Summer Transactions Tracker.

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

June 24th, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: Anaheim Ducks, ducksnpucks