from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

The Ducks made some noise. Anaheim general manager Bob Murray beat Chicago rival Stan Bowman for Ryan Kesler, the No. 2 center who wanted out of Vancouver.

Kesler and Ryan Getzlaf are a 1-2 pivot punch that will make opponents wary and weary.

The Ducks also added ex-Bruin Nate Thompson, Clayton Stoner, and Jason LaBarbera.

All of the league’s muscle resides in the West. Los Angeles and Chicago are the NHL’s gold standards. Odds are good they’ll meet again in the Western Conference finals for the privilege to roll the East’s championship entry.

St. Louis and Dallas made moves in the arms race to hang with LA and Chicago. Minnesota added Thomas Vanek.

continued plus addtional hockey topics...