McDonald becomes the "Cap Casualty"

Someone had to go, but Brian Burke it seems preferred that it not be someone on his much vaunted Defensive unit.

Friday saw Burke swing a deal with the St. Louis Blues sending Andy McDonald off to Missouri while Doug Weight will head west to join the Ducks.

The trade came as a bit of a shock to Weight, who has been struggling this season with four goals and seven assists over 29 games with the Blues, by the end of the day however he was "getting excited" about joining Burkes rough and tumble squad from Anaheim.

By moving McDonald, Burke has created some much needed space in his salary cap with the anticipated return of Scott Niedermayer, who like Weight is expected to be in the line up this weekend.

The financial savings by sending the McDonald contract on to St. Louis also means that Burke can begin to concentrate on re-signing Corey Perry to a longer Ducks contract.

Judging by the Duck's play on Friday night, there must have been some shock in the Anaheim dressing room as well, the Minnesota Wild, not particularly known for their offensive outbreaks scored four goals in the second period to break out in Friday's game, leading to their eventual 5-2 victory.

The loss highlighted a need for some offence, something that the Ducks must be hoping will come from Weight, while Niedermeyer tends to the back end.