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Anaheim Ducks: Adam Henrique extension is good for him, not for others

By Redan Lopez

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 18: Adam Henrique #14 of the Anaheim Ducks stakes a break during warm-ups prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 18, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. This is Henrique's first game against the Devils since his trade to the Ducks. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 18: Adam Henrique #14 of the Anaheim Ducks stakes a break during warm-ups prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 18, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. This is Henrique's first game against the Devils since his trade to the Ducks. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – OCTOBER 20: Jakob Silfverberg #33 of the Anaheim Ducks skates to the puck during the third period of a game against the Montreal Canadiens at Honda Center on October 20, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – OCTOBER 20: Jakob Silfverberg #33 of the Anaheim Ducks skates to the puck during the third period of a game against the Montreal Canadiens at Honda Center on October 20, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Stock Down: Jakob Silfverberg, Ryan Kesler

Will Jakob Silfverberg stay a Duck beyond this season?

Henrique’s long-term extension may have put in doubt Silfverberg signing an extension of his own. Silfverberg had a down year last year, tallying 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) as compared to his 2016-17 season where he posted career highs in points, assists, and goals (49, 23, 26).

It’s already known that Anaheim Ducks’ GM Bob Murray has initiated contract talks with Silfverberg’s agent to get Silfverberg to commit long term too. The upside for Silfverberg is his versatility – he plays in all situations – power play, penalty kill, 4 on 4, and is one of the Ducks’ best two-way players.

He is depended heavily upon to defend the best opposing team’s wingers as part of Kesler’s line. His wrist shot is one of the best in the business when he gets time and space to execute. Overall, he is an all-around player the Ducks cannot afford to lose.

The downside here is two-fold. First, fitting Silfverberg within the salary cap beyond this upcoming season presents a challenge. The salary cap will rise from $75 million last season to $79.5 this season.

This seems like plenty of room for the Ducks to work with at first. But as always, there is uncertainty at how much the salary cap will go up the following season.

When you factor in Henrique’s increased cap hit after this season (about $2 million) and the big raise goaltender John Gibson will get from his bargain contract of $2.3 million entering its final year, there may be no room left for Silfverberg.

Second, Ducks coaching and management could potentially search for younger, cheaper options (a la Troy Terry) that can develop quickly and replicate what Silfverberg does because of cap constraints.

This is worrisome for Silfverberg because it means management could be looking for his replacement. On the flip side, Henrique’s extension may give Silfverberg the extra motivation to show management he belongs as a Duck and stays for years to come.

If Silfverberg is able to stick around, I am thinking the Anaheim Ducks will offer him a contract extension of three to five years between $4 and $4.5 million. However, it may come at the cost of the Ducks making some tough decisions on their three aging core members in Kesler, Getzlaf, and Perry.

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