Duck Hunt

 The Anaheim Ducks, by far the greatest disappointment of the first half of the 2011-12 season, have been the subject of many bold trade rumors since their slow start to the year looked to be like something far greater than just a slump.  The Ducks seemed destined to be big time sellers at the trade deadline, and the debate became not only what superstar players would be on the move, but how many juggernauts' days were numbered in Anaheim.  BUT WAIT!  Now, suddenly the Ducks seem mighty once again, barrelling through opponents with wings of fire like they're out to prove that they are the talent-riddled team that everyone had believed them to be.
 The Ducks are 8-2-1 in January, their best players have lived up to the old hockey cliché and have been the team's best players, Jonas Hiller hasn't been a deadbeat between the pipes, and, although they still reside in the basement of the Pacific Division, just might pull off a miracle when it comes to a playoff push.  Even though Anaheim's General Manager, Bob Murray, is surely excited by his squads recent success, he's now left with some difficult decisions to make as his team approaches the trade deadline.  Should he be a buyer, and add to a hot team?  Should he consider a storybook run to a playoff berth too improbable to reach for, and sell at the deadline?  The smart decision for Mr. Murray to make here is a combination of both.

JASON BLAKE

 Jason Blake is in no way a part of this team's future.  He just isn't.  But he is hot right now.  With 8 points in 14 games, 6 of which coming in the last 6 games (including two game-winning goals,) and effective play in all three zones, this is the opportune time for Anaheim to get something in return for Blake.  There's a few monkey wrenches that present some complications for a "perfect trade" that must be mentioned, though.  Blake's $4 million cap-hit is a bit of a red flag for other GMs, because there aren't too many teams interested in making a move for a player like Jason Blake that have that kind of cap space for him considering his age.  Also, Blake is a UFA at the end of the season, so as a rental player, the return won't be too great.  Despite this, Anaheim needs to find a way to move Jason Blake and get the highest draft pick they possibly can for him while his production is still hot, and so they don't just lose him in free agency at the end of the season.
 At this point in his career, Blake isn't exactly a typical top-six forward, but he's more than a depth player, too.  He's kind of a hybrid breed right now.  Two teams that may be possibly interested in those types of services are the injury-plagued Minnesota Wild, perhaps looking for an extra scoring boost to aid their recent woes, and the Florida Panthers, who (barely) lead a Southeast Division that looks as if its leader at the end of the season may be the only team in that division with a playoff berth, and the Panthers organization should be desperate to bring some form of playoff hockey excitement back to the area.

LUBOMIR VISNOVSKY

 And so we begin the curious case of Lubomir Visnovsky.  There have been whispers that the Ducks have been shopping Visnovsky, but that is all that Murphy should do.  Every team in the world would improve with the services of Visnovsky, even though he has been performing slightly below his standard this season.  The Ducks should make it known that Lubomir is available, listen to offers from other teams, but unless there is an absurdly can't-pass-on-it proposal from a desperate team, they should plan on keeping him for now.  Anaheim is very much included on that list of teams that benefit from Visnovsky being on the ice with them.  Once the offseason begins, however, that is when the Ducks should really consider moving Visnovsky.  Talk him up to teams who feel they need to fill a void on defense after failing in the playoffs or regular season, shop him around draft time for a tasty pick from a desperate team.
 If the price isn't right, whether it be at the trade deadline or during the offseason, Mr. Murray shouldn't ship out Visnovsky.  He's not a player that Anaheim is in a position where dumping him is a necessary solution to turning their fortunes around.  However, if Murray can make a reasonable deal for him, at any time, by all means, he should pull the trigger on that other GM's Duck Hunt.

BOBBY RYAN
 During Anaheim's huge slump earlier in the season, Bobby Ryan was at the forefront of all the trade rumors.  With Corey Perry coming off of an MVP season, and their captain, Ryan Getzlaf, still widely regarded as an elite center in the NHL, Ryan seemed like the "logical" big-name player to send packing.
 Foolish.
 How can you let a player this talented go?  To trade a player like Bobby Ryan, the return has to gargantuan.  We're talking 1st round picks (that's right, I said picks,) or an already established player in a deal sweetened with juicy prospects.  Perhaps throw in a golden calf while we're at it, too.
 Let's not forget, Ryan was taken 2nd overall in 2005, right behind Sidney Crosby.  This kid has always been expected to do great things, and has delivered with jaw-dropping highlight reel goals and feeding his superstar linemates with top-notch passes.  That is not the kind of hockey player you just ditch because you may have to rebuild.  Bob Murray should just hang-up the phone on any General Manager who feels Bobby Ryan is worth anything less than what was referenced above.

 Other potential moves worth noting, Matt Beleskey may be the depth player teams among the top of the league's overall standings are searching for.  So for a pick or prospect, Beleskey could find himself on the trade block.  Also, despite Murray telling the media the only untouchables on their roster are Finnish greats Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne, the latter has still been involved in many rumors.  It's no surprise that Selanne has been a class act throughout Anaheim's struggles, saying all of the right things to the media and coming off as very genuine when asked questions about his future.  Selanne seems adamant in keeping himself and his family in Anaheim and retiring as a Duck.  And he's earned every right to call his own shots in what many expect to be the last season of his legendary career.  But if Selanne were to voice even the slightest inkling of a desire to be sent to a Cup contender, Murray should make a deal as fast as he possibly can.  At this juncture of a man like Teemu's career, Teemu should get what Teemu wants.  With that being said, don't expect any kind of Selanne swap, because he's a family man, and his dedication to the Anaheim franchise has left him with that strong yearning to be forever remember as a Duck.

 Yes, even at this pace the Ducks still may not make the playoffs if the teams ahead of them gain some momentum, but why completely dismantle a productive group?  It's a very difficult balance that GM Bob Murray is going to try and find, trying to keep players playing efficiently at the moment but making the changes necessary to avoid another comatose start for seasons to come