Anaheim Calling

Justin Schultz to Leave Wisconsin

2012-05-25T16:20:10Z

UPDATE: May 25th at 4:15PM

Once again, Bob McKenzie takes to Twitter to confirm that Justin Schultz has indeed left WU. It's painfully apparent that Schultz has no desire to play for the team that drafted him. Bob Murray cannot let this kid walk without getting something in return for him.

The Ducks are at the mercy of a kid in his early 20's. We can't trade him without his consent to sign with the team he's being shipped to and we can't sign him.

(No playoff thread today - use the comments if you want to talk about the Devils/Rangers game.)

***

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, Ducks highly touted draft pick, defenseman Justin Schultz, has made the decision to leave Wisconsin, thus beginning the Ducks 30-day negotiating window. Here is McKenzie's twitter account breaking down the news:

Daniel posted a really great analysis of the situation back in March. My recommendation to Ducks fans is to start praying to the higher power of your choice that Bob Murray doesn't screw this up.

Will post updates as the story develops...

Winter Classic At Dodger Stadium? Team Interested In Hosting NHL Outdoor Game

2012-05-24T20:20:56Z

(SB Nation) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have a new set of owners and are currently holding the best record in baseball. They're revitalizing their franchise and as a result, bringing the crowds back after years of Frank McCourt causing unrest among the fanbase.

At the same time, the Los Angeles Kings are tearing through the Stanley Cup Playoffs and giving the crowds at the Staples Center the best reasons to cheer their loudest this spring. The Kings may very well be on the cusp of obtaining their first-ever Stanley Cup. Their rival Anaheim Ducks have already won a Stanley Cup in recent years, of course, bringing the Cup to California in 2007.

Now it appears there may be a way to intertwine these Southern California institutions.

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports that the new Dodgers ownership group is very interested in hosting the annual NHL Winter Classic at Dodger Stadium. New Dodgers owner Stan Kasten hopes to make Los Angeles the first warm-weather city to be awarded the New Year's Day event and believes the stadium can handle the game.

"They put a man on the moon," Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter said. "They can make it work."

The Winter Classic is the lone outdoor NHL game each year and always offers breathtaking visuals. It is possibly the most highly-anticipated regular-season hockey game each year. If the Dodgers could bring the Winter Classic to California, it would be another big coup for the new owners with lofty aspirations.

Your Friendly Links Roundup & Playoff Thread: The God Smite the Kings Edition

2012-05-23T23:00:30Z

Go Devils/Rangers?

On to the links!

Now that they have conquered the West, the Kings will watch the Devils and Rangers duke it out for the Eastern Conference championship. [NHL.com]
Justin Bourne weighs in on the Dustin Brown kneeing controversy. [Backhand Shelf]
Jewels From the Crown's Niesy on Phoenix's 'conspiracy theories.' [Jewels from the Crown]
Scroll down to see RudyKelly's message to Phoenix. [BoC]
The Ducks website lists the top 5 moments from the 2011-2012 season. (The February road trip is the top moment. When we thought we could make the playoffs. Sigh). [Anaheim Ducks]
Luca Sbisa (and Blue Jackets winger Derek Dorsett) took the most boarding penalties this season. [MyNHLTradeRumors.com]
Could Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green be on the trading block? [The Fourth Period]
In case you missed it, last week was Perrymas. Ask SK about it. [Ducks and Pucks]
Brian Burke's five best transactions in Toronto. [The Hockey Writers]
Why the Canucks will let Sammy Pahlsson go. (Are you listening, Bob Murray?) [The Province]
Scott Niedermayer, David Booth, and the bear-baiting controversy. [Vancouver Sun]
According to Wysh, the Kings' Stanley Cup run has edited the NHL narratives of Jeff Carter (barf), Mike Richards (barf), and Dustin Penner (half-barf, because of his significance to our organization). [Puck Daddy]
Speaking of Dustin Penner's relationship to the Ducks... [OC Register]

***

GAME 1: New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers, 5:00PM on CBC (hates women), RDS, NBCSN

SBN Sites: Blueshirt Banter & In Lou We Trust

Series Record: NJD 2 - NYR 2

Sar-cas-tic Clap For The Chang-ing Kings

2012-05-23T18:05:58Z

Since the game ended last night, I've been thinking about what I wanted to say about/to our neighbors to the north and one of the Ducks most hated rivals. I have no words for the Kings winning the West, so I'll let one of the best antagonists in the history of television do it for me. (Formerly Senior) Ben Chang of Community, take it away:

Sar-cas-tic clap for the Kings. Congrats on punching your ticket to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1993.

Damn. That's a long time. We, as a franchise, weren't even born yet. That would be the next season. Funny thing, though. In the years following the Kings last appearance in the SCF, the Ducks have been to the Holy Land - twice. In 2003, 10-years since the Kings loss to Montreal in the SCF, the Mighty Ducks lost to New Jersey in 7-games.

Yeah, yeah, we're not there now. Didn't even make the playoffs, something the Kings barely did if it weren't for the heroics of their goalie. I will give them credit, they have played outstanding ... buuuuut, they haven't won Chang yet.

via anaheimducksboosterclub.com

The Apocalypse is Looming (Part Deux) Playoff Thread: PHX/LAK

2012-05-23T00:00:28Z

I am re-posting the thread from Sunday. Same story, different arena. The only difference is that I tried to start a rumor on Twitter that Jonathan Bernier is starting tonight for LA. Didn't work.

GAME 1: ~~Phoenix Coyotes at Los Angeles Kings~~ Los Angeles Kings at Phoenix Coyotes, ~~12:00PM on CBC, NBC, RDS~~ 6:00PM on CBC, RDS, NBCSN

SBN Sites: Jewels From The Crown, Battle of California & Five For Howling

Series Record & Storyline: ~~Them 3 - Us 0~~ Them 3 - Us 1

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse have invaded ~~Staples Center~~ Jobing.com Arena. Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter are one game away from the Stanley Cup Final. I'm just waiting for the locust!

Oh the Cinderella story. Eighth seed takes down the first and second seeds handily. They've lost one game so far in the 2012 playoffs. Blah, blah, blah. Bitter? Very.

I don't know what else to say. It's going to take a miracle at this point to deny the Kings their trip to their Holy Land.

Courting Zach Parise's Dad Playoff Thread: NYR/NJD

2012-05-21T23:00:11Z

Before I get to the playoff thread, we could all use a little humor in our life. How about a tour of the Ducks locker room hosted by Teemu Selanne and Ryan Getzlaf? For the ladies, I'll throw in a shirtless George Parros. Hell-lo nurse!

***

GAME 1: New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils, 5:00PM on CBC, RDS, NBCSN

SBN Sites: Blueshirt Banter & In Lou We Trust

Series Record & Storyline: Broadway 2 - Not Broadway 1. A couple days ago, Zach Parise's dad (former NHL-er JP Parise) was reported to have said that his son would be a 'perfect fit' with the Rangers. Naturally, you can imagine the insanity that followed, seeing as Zach is an RFA at the end of this season. The elder Parise has since recanted his statement and claims to have been misquoted. Look, if Papa Parise is doing some location scouting for Zach, I think it's best we throw everything we've got at him. Beaches! No media hassle! In-n-Out! The positives are endless for dear Zach if he chooses Anaheim.

Ducks Sign Top Swedish Elite League Goaltender Fasth

2012-05-21T21:25:43Z

The Ducks signed goaltender Viktor Fasth to a one-year contract. Although it wasn't stated in the Ducks announcement, it's likely to be a two-way deal. Fasth is replacing Iiro Tarkki who signed with the KHL earlier this month. Fasth is a highly touted goalie out of the Swedish Elite League. He has won the SEL's equivalent to the Vezina Trophy the past two season. The last guy to do that? Henrik Lundqvist. No word on if he's a Swedish male supermodel.

Don't look for Fasth to challenge Jonas Hiller for the starting job. He may challenge current backup-to-the-backup, Jeff Deslauriers, for the backup spot to Hiller, as it's unlikely that the Ducks will re-sign current number two goalie, Dan Ellis.

Take a look at some highlights of Fasth in action. My Swedish is very rusty and that's what all the YouTube videos were in. I like this guy. Looks fiesty!

The Apocalypse is Looming Playoff Thread: PHX/LAK

2012-05-20T18:50:14Z

GAME 1: Phoenix Coyotes at Los Angeles Kings, 12:00PM on CBC, NBC, RDS

SBN Sites: Jewels From The Crown, Battle of California & Five For Howling

Series Record & Storyline: Them 3 - Us 0

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse have invaded Staples Center. Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter are one game away from the Stanley Cup Final. I'm just waiting for the locust!

Oh the Cinderella story. Eighth seed takes down the first and second seeds handily. They've lost one game so far in the 2012 playoffs. Blah, blah, blah. Bitter? Very.

I don't know what else to say. It's going to take a miracle at this point to deny the Kings their trip to their Holy Land.