Ryan Getzlaf

Anaheim Ducks GM says players got lazy about training for the season

Published Dec. 24, 2015 11:12 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Anaheim Ducks have gone from advancing to last season's Western Conference final — finishing a victory shy of reaching the Stanley Cup Final — to plopping down into the Western basement.

In a collapse this massive, blame gets spread around -- coach Bruce Boudreau, general manager Bob Murray, new acquisitions such as Kevin Bieksa and Carl Hagelin. Ryan Getzlaf, who scored 25 goals last season, has just one in 29 games this season.

While not absolving himself — "We take responsibility for that as a management group," Murray told the Orange County Register — he also pointed at a lack of a work ethic by Ducks players who have been around for a while.

"Let's be clear on one thing: Putting all the blame on the incoming players would be totally unfair," Murray added. "We had far too many returning players who decided training for this season was optional, thus a poor start. After succeeding during the past few regular seasons, suddenly we are underachieving and having to handle adversity, and some are not physically prepared to work through the challenge."

So what will the Ducks do? Here's a hint for the players: Don't sign any long-term leases.

"At this point, I don't think any player could be surprised or shocked if he were to be traded," Murray said.

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Ryan Getzlaf

Carl Hagelin

Anaheim Ducks

National Hockey League