After weeks of rumors and possible deals, the Anaheim Ducks finally pulled the trigger.
On Friday morning, the Ducks acquired Ryan Kesler from the Vancouver Canucks for Nick Bonino, Luca Sbisa, and the 24th pick in the 2014 NHL Draft.
The teams will also swap picks in the third round of the draft.
The deal was first reported by TSN hockey analyst Darren Dreger.
Anaheim has been looking to fill a glaring hole in the middle of their second line behind captain Ryan Getzlaf. The two biggest names on the market to fill that void were Kesler and Jason Spezza.
In the end, it will be Kesler taking his talents to Orange County.
Kesler, 29, has spent his entire career with the Vancouver Canucks, breaking into the NHL at a mere 19 during the 2003-2004 season. He won the Selke Trophy in 2010-2011 and has been a member of United States Men’s Olympic Hockey teams in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
In a tumultuous season for the Canucks last season under head coach John Tort0rella, Kesler finished with 43 points in 77 games, putting home 25 goals and adding 18 assists.
On the other side of the deal, the Canucks get a young forward in Bonino and a young defenseman in Sbisa.
Bonino, who enjoyed a breakout season for the Ducks with 49 points, was known for his knack to score the big goal. Bonino’s overtime goal in Game 6 of their first round series against the Dallas Stars sent Anaheim to the second round.
Despite missing most of last season, Sbisa could have stepped in next year to replace the departed Stephane Robidas and Sheldon Souray. Sbisa became a Duck in 2009 when he was involved in a trade that included Chris Pronger and Joffrey Lupul.
With Kesler now on board, the Ducks look to get past their playoff woes and make a run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2015.
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