The Ducks are expected to be active in trade discussions over the next few days at the NHL draft, trying to upgrade their roster in an attempt to match the Stanley Cup champion Kings. The Ducks want help at center and on defense. Here’s what Ducks general manager Bob Murray said about keeping up with the Kings, or trying to catch up to them, anyway:

“They won the Stanley Cup and they deserved to. They were the best team. They had a good series with Chicago after our series (a second-round win for the Kings) and the Rangers stepped up, too. So, we’re chasing a bunch of teams. That’s why we have to step up, (because) we’re behind a few teams.”

Here’s Murray on finding someone like Kings defenseman Drew Doughty:

You watch the Kings and you watched how Drew Doughty emerged as a superstar in the playoffs. Do we have someone who is that guy? Can you afford that guy if you find someone like that? It’s a huge decision, but how long do you wait?”

The Kings had the New Jersey Devils down and out going into Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2012 at Staples Center. The Kings led the series three games to none and were primed for a sweep. The Devils rallied with victories in Games 4 and 5 against the distracted Kings, who finally secured their first championship with a resounding victory in Game 6. The Kings vowed to avoid a repeat after taking a 3-0 series lead over the New York Rangers.

“Just basically the distractions last time were trying to get tickets for certain people, there weren’t enough tickets, stuff like that going on,” Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said Wednesday. “Basically, we just talked about it as a group and just said let the families deal with it. Get your mom in charge, get your wife in charge, whatever it needs to be, and just completely forget about that rather than having to go out for breakfast with them, something like that.

“Just focus on the team.”

Kings defenseman Drew Doughty seemed calm, cool and collected as he slumped in a folding chair during a formal news conference Tuesday. He answered questions with his customary honesty, admitting that he was a bundle of nerves with Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final more than 24 hours away.

“I can’t wait to get out there,” Doughty said. “It kind of sucks that the game is at 8 p.m., waiting around during the day. You just want to get out there. You don’t want to get overanxious at the same time. But it’s fun to play in these types of games. When the pressure’s at a high (level), you just want to go out there, play your best as a team, win games. Yeah, I just can’t wait to get out there, get warmups over, drop that first puck.”

Drew Doughty of the Kings might merit greater consideration for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs if it weren’t for the remarkable 21-game run of Kopitar. Doughty is the Kings’ fifth-leading scorer in the postseason with 16 points (four goals, 12 assists). He plays in all situations and he’s elevated his play to the point that he’s put his stamp on most of the Kings’ postseason games. The Norris Trophy finalist plays in all situations and he excels to a degree that belies his 24 years. The Rangers do not have a defenseman who has a similar impact, although Ryan McDonagh should not be discounted as a player who fills a similar role for New York. It remains to be seen if veteran Robyn Regehr can return to the Kings’ lineup. He hasn’t played since he injured his knee during Game 1 of their second-round series against the Ducks. Matt Greene has filled in for Regehr.