After sharing his thoughts on Saku Koivu this afternoon with reporters, Bob Murray addressed the Ducks’ remaining concerns.
On RFA defenseman James Wisniewski, who filed for arbitration on Sunday:
“Wis is a group-two (free agent). I’ve said this all along, he’s got some interesting numbers and some comparables. Brian (Burke) went off on the Edmonton offer sheet, and what people didn’t realize is Brian was so right on this. I’m not condoning the way Brian did it, but that’s how brian does things. These guys coming are out of the first couple contracts and they have arbitration rights, their numbers are compararble, you have people thinking they’re worth a lot of money before they’ve proven they’re worth a lot of money.
“I’m not going to jump and give (Wisniewski) a lot of money and a long term, though I’m damn sure he’ll be worth what he wants. We’ll probably go to arbitration. That’s probably where we’re headed right now.”
On further moves the team might make:
“I’d like to get another defenseman. I’ve got a couple things in mind. I’d like another defenseman, a veteran type of guy.”
On talks with Rob Niedermayer:
“I haven’t spoken with them.”