Dropped now: Anaheim Ducks took big swings in NHL free agency, but made no contact but the coach said….

At one point, the Ducks could entice big-time free agents to come to Orange County, or to convince players to plant roots. Teemu Selanne came back after an early stint with the Ducks and played another nine years. Chris Pronger was fine with coming to Anaheim after requesting a trade from Edmonton. Ryan Kesler had the O.C. among his desired destinations after wanting out of Vancouver. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry chose to stay with eight-year extensions.

The Ducks walked into the start of free agency on Monday with more than $31 million of salary-cap space and a stated goal of upgrading the roster with proven talent — and of taking a sizable step forward after years of losing and collecting high draft picks. The day ended with them only re-signing low-cost depth players Urho Vaakanainen and Brett Leason.

The first step toward turning their fan base into “Orange Country” left it feeling kind of blue. Or even red, with anger.

General manager Pat Verbeek had better have an ace up his sleeve when it comes to reeling in a difference-maker to take the Ducks higher. It is nice to believe that talented young forwards such as Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish and Cutter Gauthier, along with a stable of talented young blueliners, will be at the heart of their next playoff team. Anaheim also welcomed No. 3 pick Beckett Sennecke and fellow first-rounder Stian Solberg into the fold this weekend, but patience is starting to wear a bit thin among the orange populace.