Ducks set Jones and others go ahead of free agency

ANAHEIM, Calif. — On the eve of a free agency period that portends some fireworks for the Anaheim Ducks, general manager Pat Verbeek cleared the deck. The Ducks declined to offer qualifying contracts to a cohort of restricted free agents, including former first-round pick (2016) Max Jones.

The afternoon began positively with news that Verbeek had signed forward Isac Lundestrom to a new, one-year, $1.5 million deal for next season. But that's where the news ceased.

Although they could still return on reduced salaries, the Ducks said at least temporary goodbyes to Jones, Brett Leason, Bo Groulx, Urho Vaakanainen, and Gustav Lindstrom. Blake McLaughlin and Brayden Tracy, two San Diego Gulls players who saw only limited time in Anaheim, were also set free.

The cuts were not a complete surprise. Verbeek previously said he would like to upgrade the team's bottom six forward group, and several of the players mentioned above were components of that group. But it's what happens next that has Ducks fans on the edges of their seats.

Monday, July 1 marks the opening of the NHL's free agent signing period, and there are indications that Verbeek may be angling to reel in some big fish. He has said repeatedly, including Sunday afternoon at the Ducks' fan event at Honda Center, that his plan is to acquire a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman. For the uninitiated, that means he's looking for top performers. Stars. Players he hopes will help drag the team out of its six-year run of mediocrity and back into playoff contention.

Naturally, speculation abounds as to who exactly those players are, and Verbeek's not telling (obviously). But with names like Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos and Vegas Golden Knights goal-scorer Johnathan Marchessault available, Ducks fans' heads swirl over the prospect of adding such desirable names to Anaheim's fledgling attack.

The aforementioned fan gathering at Honda Center also gave attendees the chance to lay eyes on the Ducks' two first-round draft picks, forward Beckett Sennecke (third overall) and defenseman Stian Solberg (twenty-third). Cutter Gauthier and Nico Myatovic (second-rounder last year) also spoke.

Solberg, whose play reminds many of Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas, was the star of the show. While describing his first interaction with Gudas, Solberg dropped two f-bombs, delighting the crowd and forcing emcee Kent French to issue a wholly unnecessary blanket apology.