With the salary cap dropping by $4 million this offseason, many teams found themselves short on funds to sign free agents. Fortunately, the Ducks had a solid core of players signed but were desperate to add a couple of top-four defensemen. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to land unrestricted free agents, GM Sullivan began offering substantial contracts. Dorchester matched an $8.75 million per season offer on Moritz Seider, while the Moncton Melons matched an offer sheet for Alexandre Romanov worth $5 million annually.
As the list of available players dwindled, desperation set in. The Ducks GM offered former Bathurst Blue Liners and current Melons RFA Jacob Bernard-Docker a three-year contract with an AAV of $4 million. However, Moncton declined the offer, costing the team two second-round draft picks.
As free agents continued to sign elsewhere, the Ducks found themselves running out of time and limited options for a top-four capable defenseman. One name stood out: Phil Housley, the 21-year-old defenseman who was the 4th overall pick in the season 13 draft. Housley had just completed his first full season in the pros, scoring 3 goals and adding 39 assists for a total of 42 points with a +9 rating. Sullivan was thrilled to secure the young stud away from the Moose. “Housley is a great young puck-moving defenseman. We lucked out being able to steal him away from Mr. Ashton.” Housley signed an offer sheet worth $8.75 million per season for three years, which the Moose declined to match. In return, the Moose offered compensation of Bathurst’s first-round pick next season, and the second and third picks in the season 19 draft. Sullivan acknowledged that GM Ashton would likely retaliate. “I know I angered Mr. Moose, and he will get his revenge, whether it’s next offseason or in 10 seasons from now. But that’s half the fun of this league, isn’t it?” In 6 games so far this season Housley has 3 assists and a +1 rating.
10/5/2026 - 323 words
