It’s a sad day in Anaheim

A lot of things has happened involving the Anaheim Ducks the last couple of days. Two days ago they signed goaltender Jonas Hiller to a 4-year, $20 million extension. Which, not surprisingly by any means, resulted in backup goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs last night.

“Obviously I would have liked to stay in Anaheim. When I re-signed here three years ago, the situation was a little different. Saying that, even before they re-signed Jonas, I could see they were leaning towards him. I’m 32 years old and I feel like there is still some hockey left in me. I wanted to try and get a chance to be a No. 1 goalie somewhere. I felt like in Anaheim it wasn’t going to happen. I feel like now I can get that chance again.” – Giguere said during a phone press conference.

A lot of Ducks fans are disappointed and a lot of Leafs fans thinks Ducks GM Bob Murray must be stupid taking on Jason Blake’s and Vesa Toskala’s contracts. But I’m telling you, this was the way things had to go down from a Ducks perspective.

Goaltender Vesa Toskala’s contract expires this summer while Jason Blake is $2 million cheaper than Giguere. Something that will help the Ducks going forward with the negotiations with young forward Bobby Ryan.

In addition, the Ducks assigned rookie right winger Dan Sexton to the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. Even though he has 18 points (9+9) in 28 games this season.

”It’s a tough one. We have a few too many forwards. Dan Sexton will be back and I told him so. He’s going to be in the minors at this point, but he will return.” – Ducks GM Bob Murray said during a press conference.

Goaltender Justin Pogge was also recalled from the AHL and will backup Jonas Hiller in tonight’s game against Florida. The reason? Vesa Toskala will have to sort out a few things such as visa moving from Canada to California. Something that isn’t the case with 36 year old winger Jason Blake who is a U.S. citizen. Blake is expected to be in the Ducks line up for tonight’s game.

As a long time Ducks fan, it’s hard to see J.S. Giguere having to go this way. He obviously isn’t the same goaltender he used to be and I’m happy the Ducks got rid of his contract. Still, he was pretty much the face of the franchise during many of his 10 years in Anaheim. “Jiggy’s” jersey could very well be in the rafters of Honda Center the day he retires from hockey.

So many memories…