And Then There Were 23

Just a quick hit: the Ducks have made their final two roster moves.

1. Logan MacMillan (not a surprise) went to Bakersfield.

2. Brendan Mikkelson (rather kinda large-ish surprise) went to Toronto (the AHL Marlies, not the NHL Maple Leafs).

This leaves the Ducks with the requisite starting roster of 23: 14 forwards, 7 defensemen, and 2 goalies.

What I find more noteworthy are Andrew Ebbett's place on the big-time roster (hooray!) and Sheldon Brookbank getting the nod in the swing position. It's as close to starting with 15 forwards as we're likely to get any time soon.

Also, count me among those greatly pleased that Sbisa starts the year in a Ducks uniform. If you're reading this, Luca: earn the spot you've been handed. You can do this. We the fans want you to.

It should be mentioned that neither of these moves precludes placing Eminger or Boynton on waivers, and Mikkelson (and Festerling, for that matter) remain dependable as backups if that's their destiny this year. At the same time, though, another of the points mentioned in last night's Fan Forum is that the Ducks' salary cap position has enough room right now for another acquisition. If that's true, then there's clearly no urgent need to move anyone's salary. That's another feather in Bob Murray's cap, in my humble opinion; let's not forget that these same Ducks were in such a precarious salary position last year that Bobby Ryan (and his entry-level $850k contract) posed enough of a problem that he had to stay in Iowa.

Then again, having cap space and having money to pay salaries are two different things. Next time you're at a game, buy a t-shirt. You'll look good in it. I promise.


That's probably going to be all there is to say until the puck drops on Saturday. However, if anything else happens between now and then you can rest assured that I'll opine about it here.

Until next time...
-The Raving Duck