And in the end, it's a business.

In short: Giguere has been traded to Toronto for Toskala and Blake. The rookie with all the heart and passion this season has seen, Dan Sexton, got sent down. And yesterday Hiller got a 4 year contract worth 18 million. (This part was posted yesterday, 1.31.10... the following was updated today 2.1.10...)

I took time to collect my thoughts on the Giguere trade because in the words of Adam Brady "it was like a bolt of lightning-- you could see it coming from a mile away, but it still surprises you." I was expecting him to be moved after the team re-signed Hiller to 4 years. I just wasn't expecting it to be the very next day. I feel as though I wont be able to put things into the proper words that are deserved, but I'm going to try...

I've been a Ducks fan since 1997-98. That means that aside from Guy Hebert, J.S. Giguere has been the only #1 goalie I have known. He's been, by far, the best Ducks goalie to ever don the uniform. And just like that, the NHL reminds you why you should never be so quite attached to a single player. In an instant they can be on a completely different team, in a completely different country, on the complete opposite coast.

Ducks fans will remember him for being the sole reason the Ducks came within 1 game of the Stanley Cup in 2003. They will remember how heart breaking yet satisfying it was to see him win the Conn Smythe trophy that year. That image is engraved in my brain. They'll remember him throwing his gloves off like he couldn't get them off fast enough in 2007 as the clock wound down and the Ducks became the Stanley Cup Champions. And they'll remember him for making the Ducks who they were for 10 solid years.

I wish Jiggy nothing but the best in his new adventure in Toronto. He's back with his goalie coach Allaire, and he's back under Burke's wing. I hope Toronto fans get to know him for his dedication and passion to the game. I hope they understand soon what they got. I hope they learn to love him. Trades always bring a fan back to reality -- it's a business. And in this business, some shoes..or skates... are harder to fill than others.

So long, Giguere! I hope to someday see you retire your number here in Anaheim. Raise 35 to the rafters. Thank You, for the memories. Thank You, for everything.

Out with the old, in with the new...

When things aren't going well for a team, changes start being made. After losing last night to the Kings, Ducks fans woke up to some movement in Ducks land.

For starters: The Ducks acquired center Kyle Chipchura (try to say that one three times fast) from Montreal in exchange for a 4th round draft pick in 2011.

Next: Brendan Mikkelson got sent down with Brett Festerling being called up.

And then: Erik Christensen was claimed off of waivers by the New York Rangers.

All this movement happened before the clock even struck 12pm.

In a bit of good news, Joffrey Lupul, who has been out with some pretty crazy back spasms, skated a full hour of practice today over at Anaheim Ice.

“It was nice to be back out there with the guys,” Lupul said. “A week ago, there was no chance I could be out on the ice. A lot of will depend on how I feel tomorrow. I have to see how my body reacts. I have my fingers crossed. I really want to be back as soon as possible. This is a critical time of the year for us.”

Phwew, that's enough moving for one day. The Ducks are back in action tomorrow in Dallas at 5:30pm.

The source for all of this information: ducks.nhl.com

Ducks Obtain Artyukhin from Lightning

The Ducks announced on Thursday that they have acquired right wing Evgeny Artyukhin from Tampa Bay in exchange for left wing Drew Miller and a third-round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Artyukhin, 26 (4/4/83), appeared in his second NHL season with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008-09, scoring 6-10=16 points with a +1 rating and 151 PIM in 73 games. Artyukhin set career highs in goals, appearances and PIM while leading the team in hits (249) and PIM. The 6-4, 254-pound winger also averaged 10:40 time on ice (TOI) per game and 14.8 shifts per game.

For more info on Artyukhin, go here: http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=469996

Ducks Acquire Goaltender Justin Pogge

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired goaltender Justin Pogge from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a conditional selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

For more information on Justin Pogge, click here: http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=469797

Scotty Is Coming Back, Pronger is Traded to Philly

Ducks fans can now rest easy, Scott Niedermayer has made up his mind and he's coming back. Can't say I'm surprised, I never doubted he would come back. Now for the consequences of his return-- Defenseman Chris Pronger was traded to the Flyers in exchange for ex-Duck Joffrey Lupul, Lucas Sbisa, and 2 first round picks.

Source: AnaheimDucks.com

Ducks Trade Brad May to Toronto

The Ducks announced on Wednesday that they have acquired a conditional sixth-round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for left wing Brad May.

May, 37 (11/29/71), scored 0-5=5 points with a +5 rating and 28 penalty minutes (PIM) in 20 games with the Ducks this season. Acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for goaltender Michael Wall on Feb. 27, 2007, May collected 3-7=10 points with a +6 rating in 95 career games with the Ducks. He also appeared in 24 NHL Playoff games with Anaheim, earning one assist with 32 PIM while winning his first Stanley Cup in 2007.

A native of Toronto, Ontario, May has scored 126-159=285 points with 2121 PIM in 963 career NHL games. He began his NHL career with Buffalo (1991-98) before playing for Vancouver (1997-00, 2002-04), Phoenix (2000-03), Colorado (2005-07) and Anaheim (2006-09).

Source: ducks.nhl.com

Traded: Sutherby to Dallas; Aquired: McIntyre

The Ducks acquired center David McIntyre and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft from the Dallas Stars in exchange for center Brian Sutherby.

McIntyre, 21 (2/4/87), is competing in his junior season at Colgate University of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC). In 14 games thus far, the 5-11, 190-pound forward has collected a team-leading 5-7=12 points with 22 penalty minutes (PIM). He also leads the Colgate Raiders in assists and is tied for sixth in ECAC scoring. A native of Oakville, Ontario, McIntyre ranked second with the Raiders and tied for fourth in the ECAC with 15 goals in 2007-08. He finished third on the club in scoring during his sophomore season while also being named the Inside College Hockey National Player of the Week on Mar. 17, 2008.

Selected by Dallas in the fifth round (138th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, McIntyre has appeared in 93 career ECAC games with Colgate, recording 20-24=44 points with 60 PIM. He placed third in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL) with 92 points in 2005-06 and was named Newmarket’s MVP that season. He participated in the 2006 OPJHL All-Star Game as well as the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJAHL) Top Prospects Game.

Sutherby, 26 (3/1/82), appeared in 17 games with Anaheim this season, earning 3-3=6 points with a +6 rating and 19 PIM. The 6-3, 209-pound center was acquired from Washington in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft on Nov. 19, 2007. Sutherby has played in 321 career NHL contests over seven seasons with Washington and Anaheim, collecting 29-39=68 points with 357 PIM.

SOURCE: ducks.nhl.com

TRADED: Sean O'Donnell to the Kings

The Ducks announced today they have traded defenseman Sean O'Donnell to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a conditional 2009 draft pick.
O’Donnell, 36 (10/13/71), appeared in all of Anaheim’s 82 contests in 2007-08, the second time in his career he achieved the feat (also 2003-04 with Boston). He scored 2-7=9 points with a +9 rating in the regular season, adding 1-1=2 points with a +3 mark in six playoff games. The Ottawa, Ontario native appeared in his 900th career regular season NHL game on Jan. 18, 2008 at Minnesota.

Source: anaheimducks.com