Posted by Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun
(Editor's note: As we count down to the trade deadline, our experts will debate the possibilities and shed some reality on those rumors. Check out our Faceoff: Trade Deadline Edition all this week and next heading into March 4.)
Pierre LeBrun: Good day, Scotty. Really looking forward to today's discussion because I think it's one of the more compelling situations in the NHL ahead of the deadline. What do you do if you're the Anaheim Ducks? Definitely a big win Tuesday night in Buffalo, but the team remains on the bubble and I suspect no matter what happens on this road trip, they'll still be on the bubble come next Wednesday.
In the meantime, nearly half the players on the team are headed for unrestricted free agency, and the Ducks might see this as a good chance to cash in a few assets. But let me be blunt: From what I'm been told over the last few days, I think it's impossible that both Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer patrol the blue line for the Ducks next season. For financial reasons alone (the Ducks have been told to cut payroll), one of them will be gone.
Scott Burnside: Agreed. Fascinating turn of events for the 2007 Stanley Cup champs. Brian Burke has left the house and now GM Bob Murray has to make some tough calls. If he thinks Niedermayer will return for one more kick at the can -- and an automatic berth on Canada's 2010 Olympic team in his home province of British Columbia -- then I think it'll be tough for Murray to move the slick-skating Niedermayer.
True, he doesn't have a no-trade clause; but unless Niedermayer agrees to be a rental and then re-signs with the Ducks this summer, it's a big risk to take. So I say Niedermayer stays. And if that's the case, Pronger will almost certainly be dealt. But is that by next week or before July 1? Hmm. Lots of market for both given their skill level and experience. Pronger's got another season at $6.25 million, but that's not a lot given the player.
LeBrun: Interesting, indeed, that neither player has a no-trade clause; that gives Murray some flexibility. The frustrating part, no doubt, is the Ducks don't know what Niedermayer will do, and that information would be so beneficial right now. If they knew he would retire for sure, they would trade him and keep Pronger. But Niedermayer, being true to form, said he's not going to make that difficult decision until the offseason. And believe me, the Ducks have inquired.
Like the rest of us, I think the Ducks are leaning toward guessing he's going to play another season with the hometown Vancouver Olympics on the horizon for him next year; under that premise, it means Pronger might be moved. I'm told the Ducks have had three to four "serious" offers for Pronger as of Tuesday night (with more to come, no doubt). But, yes, as you point out, maybe waiting for the June draft is a better time to deal him because now you're involving more teams in the process, not just the current playoff-bound teams. Tough call.
Burnside: Unlike, say, GM Jacques Martin in Florida, who wants an NHL player plus prospects/draft picks for Jay Bouwmeester, the problem for the Ducks is, if they are selling, they don't want salary back. Everyone figures New Jersey is at the top of the heap in trying to land either Niedermayer (for obvious reasons, given his connection to the Devils) or Pronger. But what about Calgary, which has some injuries along the blue line, or, as you've noted, Vancouver, especially if we're talking Niedermayer. I think Pronger has the potential to do what he did in Edmonton, take a new team by the throat and drag it along for a long playoff run. Think he'd look pretty good in a Caps uniform alongside Mike Green?
LeBrun: I don't get the sense the Caps are hungry to make a big move at this point. They seem content with what they have, other than adding a depth guy. But I might be misreading the tea leaves there. For sure, Pronger remains a stud, especially come playoff time. Funny thing about the New Jersey rumors is, a source told me Monday the Devils and Ducks haven't spoken in three weeks. Go figure.
Definitely keep an eye on the Flames. GM Darryl Sutter is a cagey veteran, and I think he's keeping his lines out in the water for a big fish on defense. The Flyers would also love either Bouwmeester or Pronger, I believe, but they've got major cap issues. Of course, the risk for the Ducks is that they move Pronger next Wednesday and then Niedermayer does retire after all. Then they're without a top defenseman!
Burnside: Just as Martin will be loathe to move Bouwmeester within the conference, look for Bob Murray to move Pronger and/or Niedermayer to the East if he can swing it. The Ducks are close enough that, even if one of the big blueliners is moved, they could sneak into the playoffs anyway. Not sure the Caps are quite there yet, and it's not just the questions about Jose Theodore in goal. Pretty sure GM George McPhee will be looking to make a splash as he did a year ago, adding Cristobal Huet and Sergei Fedorov when many thought he'd be standing pat. Talk to you tomorrow.
For more on the trade deadline, check out NHL Rumor Central. 
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