Anaheim Ducks A Fit For Jonathan Drouin?

The Anaheim Ducks have had trouble scoring this season, could Jonathan Drouin be someone to target in a trade?

It’s no secret that the Anaheim Ducks have had trouble scoring this season. Offensive inconsistencies have the Ducks sitting outside the current playoff picture and something must change to solve this issue.

The problem here is that so far this season, it has been incredibly difficult for any general manager to make a trade. Nearly every team has a legitimate shot at the playoffs and it has created a stationary trade market.

Several players have requested trades but none have had their wishes granted. However the most recent name added to the rumor mill seems likely to be moved.

Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin wants out of Tampa Bay. Drouin’s agent, Allan Walsh, went public today saying that Tampa was notified of this trade request sometime in November.

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Drouin started this season with 6 points in his first 5 games, playing nearly 16 minutes per game during that time. He was playing with Stamkos and looked really good, he had two multi-point games through the first 4 games of the season.

He then went cold and did not produce a point over the next 9 games. His ice time fell during that stretch and he went from almost 16 minutes a game to just over 13 minutes per game.

He then bounced back game in early December with a goal and an assist in a 2-1 Lighting victory over guess who, the Anaheim Ducks. Drouin was really good in that game and he looked like a guy who had been taken 3rd overall.

It’s clear that when Drouin was playing more minutes with a bigger role he became more efficeint and added more offense. When his ice time decreased along with his role, he struggled. This seems like a situation where change of scenery is necessary and will likely be the best thing for both Drouin and the Lightning.

The Fancy Stats

The analytics on Drouin are interesting. He has been a solid possesion player and his goals/points per game stats are also good.

Here’s a table showing even strength 5 v. 5 stats and Drouins rank in each category amongst Lightning forwards this season and rank amongst Lightning forwards that have played a minimum of 30 games over the past two seasons with Tampa.

[table id=83 /]

While the goals have not been there, his points per 60 and primary assist numbers are very good. He can play a big role on the power play and the Ducks could use a left shot forward who can produce with the man advantage.

His goal differential is also very good and that is essentially the one stat you look at to see the most important thing, who can score more than they are scored on.

In terms of possession numbers, Drouin has been decent and middle of the pack amongst Lightning forwards.

One other thing to consider is that Drouin has been a bit sheltered. His quality of competition rank was near the bottom last season and he has again played against lower competition this season. His offensive zone start percentage is also a tad high but this all shouldn’t be something to scare away the Ducks.

So What Could A Deal Look Like?

Well, this is difficult to say and every armchair general manager out there probably has a different feeling about what a team would have to give up in order to acquire Drouin.

I’ll start my thoughts with this. Tampa Bay traded away forward Brett Connolly to Boston at last seasons trade deadline. The Lightning selected Connolly 6th overall at the 2010 draft, so another high draft pick just as Drouin was in 2013.

Boston sent the Lightning a 2015 2nd round pick and a 2016 2nd round pick to acquire Connolly.

Connolly was not turning into the player that Tampa had hoped he would be and it led to his availability. However, Connolly was traded nearly 5 years after being drafted so Tampa had a good idea that Connolly was not going to turn into a superstar.

It has only been two and a half years since Drouin has been drafted and it is quite possible that Drouin could turn into an absolute offensive star in the years to come.

So, I think that if two second rounders were required in exchange for Connolly, a first round pick will have to be apart of a deal to acquire Drouin.

For the Ducks, this is a tough situation. Their season has not gone as planned and they could continue to tumble due to the recent news of Cam Fowler being out for the remainder of January.

Sending away a first round pick could be costly as that pick may turn into a top 10 or even top 5 pick.

So, I think Murray is going to have to make that first round pick a conditional one which basically means it will be lottery protected or top 10 protected, some type of pick protection must occur.

Next you look to NHL players or prospects.

I don’t think that any NHL level player the Ducks are willing to part ways with will interest Yzerman and it should be noted that Tampa has virtually no salary cap room.

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The other side to that is Tampa has a number of key players hitting restricted free agency this summer and next. Moving Drouin could open up money to be spent elsewhere on players like Stamkos, Hedman, Johnson, Paquette, Palat and Killorn.

So with that, you look to Ducks prospects that could be moved.

Stefan Noesen, a former first round pick, is one name that comes to mind. Max Friberg, Michael Sgarbossa, Joseph Cramarossa, Antoine Laganiere and Nic Kerdiles are the others I think could be in play. Those 6 have combined for 76 points with the San Diego Gulls so far this season.

2015 3rd round picks Brent Gates and Deven Sideroff could also be in play as could 5th round pick Troy Terry.

Moving a couple of those prospects along with a protected first round pick could interest Yzerman, but it might take more than that. One more pick may be required. Whether it’s a 2016 2nd round pick or a 2017 2nd or 3rd rounder, I think a prospect or two with two picks could do the trick.

Yzerman and Murray have some trade history as well. Nate Thompson and Eric Brewer have been sent from Tampa to Anaheim recently.

Why It Works For The Ducks

Drouin is not a restricted free agent until after next season and if things are not working out, Murray has time to move him before he is forced to pay him. He does not hurt the Ducks chances of re-signing Lindholm, Vatanen, Rakell, Andersen or Sekac this offseason and that is another huge factor in this deal.

Getzlaf and Perry aren’t getting any younger, it’s time for Murray to start looking to the future. Nick Ritchie is going to be key for years to come and so is Rickard Rakell. Adding Drouin to that mix could be a move with great long term return on investment.

Plain and simple, this is a move to potentially add a top 6 forward who can bring the Ducks offense back to life this year and for many years to come.

Why It Works For The Lightning

As I already mentioned, Yzerman has no cap room this season and has so many key players needing new deals this summer and in the summer of 2017.

Moving Drouin opens up room and saves money to be spent on other key players that both Yzermand and head coach Jon Cooper favor over Drouin.

Final Thoughts

Murray needs to do something to help his team. The Ducks have proven thus far that they can play solid team defense and win some close games, but one goal will not get the win every time. Offensive energy is needed and Drouin could be the fix.

This is an opportunity to acquire a player with unbelievable offensive potential, he may just need a change of scenery and Anaheim could be the perfect destination.

Statistics via War-on-ice.com Behindthenet.ca and NHL.com

Salary Cap Info via Generalfanager.com

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Anaheim Ducks and Jonathan Drouin, Why A Deal Could Be Made

The Anaheim Ducks have had trouble scoring this season, could Jonathan Drouin be someone to target in a trade?

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