As we approach the Entry Draft, we’re also approaching a few major deadlines regarding the future and once again the Ducks are finding themselves front and center.

Last summer, as the draft began, so did the changes in Anaheim.  The Ducks shipped out the physical antagonist, Chris Pronger, and got very little in immediate return.  When Joffrey Lupul was sidelined with an injury and Luca Sbisa was sent back to the WHL for more development, there would be little to show from that trade.

In the end, the Ducks would ultimately suffer from losing the nasty grit from seasons past.

While the trade included some draft selections last season, the loss of Pronger was one of many that left a gapping hole in the lineup for Anaheim.

(The trade clearly worked well for Philadelphia on the other hand.)

Clearly the Ducks are going to be on the lookout to strengthen the defensive position this season, and the rumors have already begun on how they may do that very thing.

However, those rumors might not be sitting well with faithful Anaheim Ducks fans.

We’ve already discussed the usual suspects, and while we wait to hear about what Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne are going to do in the future, I’m beginning to become increasingly concerned about what the Ducks are going to do for the extended future.

What is going to happen with Bobby Ryan?

If there was one thing Ducks fans have learned over the course of the last two years it’s that Ryan has been worth the wait.

He’s clearly a fan favorite at the Honda Center, and when the Ducks are trailing in the third (which was all too often last season), it’s always a thrill to see Ryan with the puck. 

Yet once again the fans are on hold as Ryan’s future has yet to be decided. 

Ryan is a restricted free agent, and come July 1st, he’s available for offer sheets and likely to get plenty of offers.  His status is something very few fans in Anaheim are looking forward to, especially since we’ve been victim of the offer sheet before.

Sign him now.

And the rumors?  According to the OC Register, they have Ryan heading to Toronto to play once again for Brian Burke.

Burke has done an amazing job at retooling the “Anaheim Ducks of Toronto” to his liking by adding several ex-Ducks to his lineup, and having a young talented winger like Ryan would suit him well.  Not to mention, it would add a spark to the Maple Leaf core that he is desperately seeking.

Of course this would mean a trade between the two teams, and one Tomas Kaberle has been a hot topic for months now.  While adding the 32-year old defenseman might be of interest to the Ducks who are desperately seeking defense, or perhaps a replacement for Niedermayer, it doesn’t say much if it means losing Ryan.

Bob Murray has made it clear that he intends to re-sign Ryan to an appropriate contract, but talks have seemingly gone nowhere as we’re still eagerly awaiting the news that the young winger has been signed.

What is the hold up?  Is Ryan holding out for more money?  A longer contract?  Perhaps he’s hoping for a coaching change before committing to Anaheim?  Or maybe this trade has sparked an interest in Murray.

No matter what we’re waiting for, I doubt there are many fans out there willing to part with this young goal scorer.  We had to wait long enough to see the kid in action, and I for one, am not ready to watch him leave.

Take the vote – would it be worth it to bring in a puck moving defensemen like Kaberle and lose the talented Ryan in return? 

Personally, I’m not willing to part with the future for a quick fix today.