As a team in serious need of a makover, the team started the weak with no owner, and no promise. The owners brought in one of the commishes to run the team, and already the Ducks have a beacon of light at the end of the tunnell, and a revamped hope for the future.

The first trade the team made was sending UFA to be Steve Sullivan to Vancouver in exchange for young scorer Martin Erat, and the 20th overall pick in the draft. Erat should help replace the scoring lost to SUllivan, and a cheaper price, and he's alot younger.

Then, early on draft day, the team bid adieu to winger Marco Sturm, as they picked up young sniper Dan Fritsche, puck moving dman Freddy Meyer, and a 3rd round pick in the draft. While the team was sad to see Sturm go, Fritsche is on the edge of emerging as a stead 20 goal man in the NHL, and his upside fits teh Ducks model more at this point.

Then came the draft, in a much worked on deal, the team traded the previously acquired 20th overall pick (Trevor Lewis), along with Andrew Brunette, and Rob Scuderi to Philadelphia. Coming back is top goaltending prospect Justin Pogge, young winger Paul Gaustad and the 53rd pick in the draft. The Ducks are thrilled to acquire one of the best goaltending propsects in the world in Pogge, and he gives the team an eventual successor between the pipes, something that wasnt there at 20th overall.

Then came the draft, the team made the following selections Shawn Mattias 53rd, Blake Geoffrion 86th, Joonas Lehtvouri 173rd, Bobby Nyholm 203rd. The players above are all a ways off, but the team has added some depth, and quality to their prospect ranks.

The Ducks future is looking much brighter. The team will remain under Bryces control until further notice, but whoever does step in and take this team, now has a smattering of young assets and a hope for the future, that wasnt there before.