Call it Bob Murray’s big decision.

With the NHL trade deadline set for April 3, nobody is under more intense scrutiny than the Anaheim Ducks GM with all-star forwards Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf both set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

While Murray has maintained publicly he wants to keep both players in the fold, he’s going to have cough up a lot of cash from the Ducks’ bank if Perry and Getzlaf are both going to stick around Anaheim past this season.

The belief is to keep Perry and Getzlaf, Murray is going to have to ante up with big, front-loaded contracts for both. You know, the ones that were a “hill to die on” during the CBA negotiations before the league decided it couldn’t afford to lose the season.

Many don’t believe -- of the two -- Getzlaf is going anywhere because he’s settled into Anaheim. There was talk before the lockout the two sides were close to a long-term agreement in the $60-million range. That hasn’t materialized yet.

As for Perry, it might be a different story trying to keep him. If he does leavem you’d have to think he surfaces with an Eastern Conference team. There were contract discussions last summer that didn’t get anywhere.

The Ducks are at a crossroads because these decisions will determine the direction Anaheim is headed down the road. Yes, this is the same as the Wade Redden/Zdeno Chara scenario the Senators faced in July, 2006.

Allowing Chara to go to the Boston Bruins as a UFA changed the organization. The best case for Murray is he’s able to keep both, but if they aren’t signed soon then he’s going to have to weigh his options at the deadline. That’s not ideal.

If Murray can’t get one or both signed, he may not want to lose them for nothing in the summer.

THIS N’ THAT

Many are wondering what’s going to happen to the Phoenix Coyotes now that the sale to former San Jose Sharks president Greg Jamieson has fallen through. Some NHL types believe commissioner Gary Bettman should fold the team this summer and hold a dispersal draft for the Coyotes under contract. Why, you ask, with Quebec City, Kansas City and Seattle just sitting there waiting to get a team? One league executive says the NHL may prefer to get expansion money -- in the $400-million range per-team -- from two of those markets plus from the group that wants to place a second Toronto area squad in Markham. Not sure if it will happen, but it doesn’t sound far-fetched. Just move Phoenix to Quebec City. That makes the most sense ... What’s this we hear about Florida RW Alexei Kovalev having a hissy fit after being made a healthy scratch Thursday by coach Kevin Dineen? Many questioned the decision by GM Dale Tallon to sign Kovalev, especially with all those good, young players in Florida's room ... The heat is on Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff? Seriously, I don’t think so? I will believe it when I see it.

OFF THE GLASS

Nice to see the Montreal Canadiens back on track under GM Marc Bergevin and coach Michel Therrien, but what was owner Geoff Molson thinking. Why was former GM Pierre Gauthier allowed to create such a mess before making it worse by acquring D Tomas Kaberle (Montreal) and RW Rene Bourque (Calgary) before being give the boot? “Last season has to be one of the lowest points that franchise has ever reached,” said a league executive ... Washington coach Adam Oates looks like a guy who could have used a training camp. Now, he’s sitting there with a team going nowhere and no goaltending. Should that genius GM George McPhee not have attempted to keep G Tomas Vokoun before he left for Pittsburgh? Over the last 10 years, Vokoun, who signed for two years at $2 million-per with the Pens, has the best save percentage and GAA of any goalie in the league. Most of those stats were with non-playoff teams.

RUMOURS DU JOUR

The San Jose Sharks have eight healthy defencemen now that D Brent Burns has returned from his lower body injury. There is talk Sharks GM Doug Wilson would like to add one more veteran winger before the trade deadline. Don’t be surprised if D Jason Demers is the odd man out if the Sharks decide to make a move ... Minnesota GM Chuck Fletcher could be ready to make a move to give his the inconsistent Wild a bit of a jolt. He already picked up C Mike Rupp from the Rangers last week, but may not be finished. Acquiring RW Devin Setoguchi from the Sharks before hasn’t worked out as planned and he could be moved. The 26-year-old was moved to the club’s fourth line last week because he hasn’t been living up to coach Mike Yeo’s expectations. There is talk Setoguchi is available, but he does have one year left at $3 million. Many believe part of the issue is the Wild overhyped the signings of LW Zach Parise and D Ryan Suter ... Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutheford may make a move before the deadline. The Canes have plenty of skill on the blueliner, however, they’d like to bring in a bit more grit. D Joe “Uh-Oh” Corvo has been a healthy scratch and could be dealt along with D Jamie McBain.

Have a nice Sunday.

bruce.garrioch@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @sungarrioch