Jonas Hiller Signed to Extension, J.S. Giguere on the Move? Decisions in Anaheim

The Anaheim Ducks have announced the signing of Jonas Hiller to a four-year, $18 million dollar contract extension.

For all purposes, this means the end of J.S. Giguere's run in Anaheim.  

The Ducks can't afford to have two goalies signed on next season for over $10 million, especially when the starting goalie makes less.  

So the questions begin: Does Giguere get traded?  If so, when?

If the Ducks continue to play at .500 before the trade deadline, the Ducks might consider themselves sellers.  In that case, Giguere may be included in a package deal that could potentially included young talent, prospects, draft picks, or even a big-named player.

Giguere's blotchy play over the course of the last two seasons makes his sizable $6 million dollar contract difficult to move on it's own.  Not to mention his pesky no-trade clause.

It’s scary to think about the moves Anaheim may have to make in order to trade Giguere.  

Giguere has stated that he does not want to leave Anaheim, however, he also wants to play and be the No. 1 goaltender.  With the signing of Hiller to a contract extension, not to mention that Hiller has started in 11 of the last 12 games for the Ducks going 9-3 in that time, the Ducks have made their choice on their No. 1.  

Seeing Giguere leave Anaheim would be difficult for so many fans.  Giguere was a Conn Smythe trophy winner in 2003 when the Ducks lost in seven games to the New Jersey Devils.  He carried the Ducks through numerous playoff appearances and ultimately led the team to a Stanley Cup in 2007.  

Since being acquired by Anaheim in the summer of 2000, Giguere has led the way for the Ducks.  But things have clearly changed for the 32-year-old goaltender over the course of the past two seasons.  His numbers are declining, his speed is slowing, and he's simply being outplayed by a better, younger man.  

The Ducks can't logically afford to keep him with the team looking to re-sign Bobby Ryan. More importantly, $6 million is too much to be paying a man who sits on the bench. 

Giguere wants to play.  He wants to be a No. 1 again.  But the question is, can he do it? Does he have the ability to be a team's No. 1 goaltender?  

Sometimes a change of scenery is all you need; a new coaching style, a new locker room, or different teammates.  Being traded might be in the best interest for Giguere's career.  

Overall, it doesn't seem likely that his career will continue in Anaheim.