The Anaheim Ducks yesterday went with a double announcement.

Dion Phaneuf whose rights were purchased from Florida in April signed on with the club to a 4 yer extension. At 2.64 million per year, the Alberta native arrives as the undisputed no.1 defenceman of the club.

On the same day, the Ducks announced a trade , with again, the Florida Panthers that saw the Ducks send a 2nd round pick in the 2019 draft as well as cash considerations for Zach Parise. The move came to many as a surprise since the Ducks clearly are going with a young club next season but Parize arrives in the organization with 2 years remaining on his deal and seems like GM Nellis already has plans for the future.

“I think we have to think long term, Dion has embraced the role he will have in our organization and I believe when Parise sees the commitment we will put forward, I am very confident he will resign here as well in the summer of 2019”. Said GM Nellis.

GM Nellis did not have a loyalty signing available this summer but was available to keep Phaneuf nonetheless, but when parise goes to Unrestricted free agency in 2019, Nellis will have this available to him and seemingly has already planned this out.

“By having Phaneuf and Parise as our leaders moving forward, we can bring the kids we have like Tippet, Vesalainen, Raddysh, Dahlen and these are the perfect guys to show them the ropes… If Zach likes it here – it will be my pleasure to sign him long term and be able to be part of the eventual Ducks rebirth into a playoff team”.

Both players also made statements via conference call.

“When I met with the management team in April I felt a real motivation to have me be part of the club – adding Zach to the club was the trigger for me to commit to this club for 4 years. I have played with Zach and having him on this roster will make us a tough out every night” Said Dion Phaneuf.

“It was surprising to get traded I must admit – this is my 4th team in 14 months – but GM Nellis had a very good talk with me – the plan is clear and I feel like Dion and I can be part of a rebuild but at the same time be part of something special” said the newly acquired Parise.

Nellis also acquired Erik Gudbranson and Shawn Matthias over the last few weeks, which leaves very little roster spots available but the rumours around Nellis never end. He would be looking for 1 more top 6 forward to go into the 2017-18 season.

That being said, it is no secret Nellis is heavily leaning on the 2018 draft to give a facelift to his organization. With over 20 picks including 5 in the 1st round – Nellis will be heavily scouting the 2018 draftees in the coming months.

for the Anaheim Gazette
Mark Bryan