Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke has added yet another significant defenseman to his already deep blueline corps, acquiring Marc-Andre Bergeron from the New York Islanders for a third round pick.
Bergeron had butted heads a couple of times this season with the Islanders coaching staff, leading to speculation he could be moved by today.
The Ducks already have a scary-deep defense in Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Mathieu Schneider, Francois Beachemin and Sean O’Donnell. Bergeron adds another offensive piece to the Ducks blueline, with his heavy shot from the blueline.
Bergeron’s defensive skills can be considered average at best, but if paired with a seasoned all-around defenseman on the Ducks defense corps (take your pick) he should make a terrific fit, particularly on the power play.
Wow, after teams have been turned into ground beef by Pronger, Beachemin, and O'Donnell, Nieds, Schneider, and now Bergeron will strike from the blue-line with laser piecing wristers from the point. This is unfair! I hate to say it, but it looks like the Ducks are ready for a repeat!
Only if you get run over by Pronger or Beauchemin. Or hit with a slapshot from Schneider or Niedermayer. Or a wrister from Bergeron. Oh, and O'Donnell's going to run you down.
Will Bergeron even get to play?!?! Ducks have Niedermayer, Pronger, Beauchemin, O'Donnell, Schneider and Huskins. Don't under-estimate Huskins, he has been so solid for the Ducks all season. I have a hard time understanding this trade. Then again, I questioned the acquisition of Brad May last year only to be proven wrong when he quickly showed the edge that made him valuable to the Ducks.
Interesting the Sharks and Ducks bolstered their Blue Lines while Dallas went for a scorer. The Pacific is going to be fun to watch (minus the usual fan related heart burn).
What's interesting is that Burke was believed seeking a scoring center. Evidently what was available was too rich for Burke's blood, so he just loaded up again on the blueline.
The Ducks blueline is insane. I have to go back and look up their team salary again. How can they afford all of these players? Even second and third-tier players' salaries start to add up if you have enough of them. Dang.
I fully expect MA Bergeron to be a backup defender. Huskins is too good, too fast, and too unknown to be dethroned. His lack of reputation is one of his biggest weapons--just watch him go coast to coast sometime.
Also O'donnell and Prongs have great chemistry and O'Donnell's grit fits the Ducks system better.
Just a thought--with Bergeron, Prongs can pick up a few more suspensions this may. Hahaha
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
