Pacific Division Summer Report: Ducks, Kings Get New Looks For the Fall

Tue, Jul 28, 2009

The Pacific Division has seen some good action, during this offseason’s proceedings.

All teams seem poised to take the rosters they have, as of today, into the opening of the preseason games; taking into account any surprises in training camp.

Without a doubt the most improved team and one of the most changed is the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks added Saku Koivu, who captained the Montreal Canadiens last season. Koivu will get to play with long time friend, and fellow Finn, Teemu Selanne.

The Ducks also regained Joffrey Lupul from Philadelphia, along with Luca Sbisa in exchange for Chris Pronger. Pronger was in his contract year and was the odd man out with such a deep Ducks’ blue-line.

The Ducks added Nick Boynton to a one-year contract, as well as Steve McCarthy. Both are experienced blue-liners that help make one of the best defensive teams even better.

The Ducks were a dangerous team in last years playoffs, and look improved in many aspects.

The Ducks freed up a lot of money in ditching bully Pronger and added some great talent in Sbisa, Lupul, and Koivu. Losing broad-street bully Pronger to Philadelphia will likely look like a good offseason move as the Ducks will not only fight in the playoffs, but maybe for a Stanley Cup this season.

The Los Angeles Kings are a new looking team as well.

With veteran forward Ryan Smyth added in exchange for defenseman Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing, the Kings are more dangerous up front.

The other big name addition for the Kings is Rob Scuderi, who won the 2009 Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. This addition at defense, adds veteran talent …

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