Top Five Anaheim Ducks Offseason Moves of All-Time
Apr 18, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
With the off-season in full swing, and with a significant trade already taking place, it is worth taking a look back at other off-season trades that have had a huge impact on the Anaheim Ducks.
Although it wouldn’t be fair to add the Ryan Kesler trade just yet, let’s take a look at the top five off-season moves in Anaheim Ducks history.
May 12, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) reacts at the end of game five of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at Honda Center. The Ducks defeated the Kings 4-3 to take a 3-2 series lead. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2011 1st round pick (#30-Rickard Rakell) and 2011 2nd round pick (#39-John Gibson) – June 24, 2011
Acquired from Toronto for: 2011 1st round pick (#22-Tyler Biggs)
With none of these players yet to break their NHL rosters as starters it is hard to judge this trade. However, looking at numbers alone it would seem the Ducks came out as winners.
Tyler Biggs struggled in his first AHL season with the Toronto Marlies, putting up a lackluster 9 points in 57 games. A far cry from his numbers with the Oshawa Generals in the OHL. Rakell on the other hand, had an excellent season with Norfolk, racking up 37 points in 46 games, while also cracking the Anaheim Ducks roster.
Now add in the fact that the Ducks also acquired John Gibson, who is widely regarded as one of the top goalie prospects in hockey, you have a trade that could have a major impact on the Ducks success in the future.
Apr 23, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Emerson Etem (65) prepares to take the place of Anaheim Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne (not pictured) against the Dallas Stars in game four of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, 2009 1st round pick (#21-John Moore), 2010 1st round pick (#29-Emerson Etem) – June 26, 2009
Acquired from Philadelphia for: Chris Pronger and Ryan Dingle
With Chris Pronger entering the last year of his contract, it was decided he would be dealt so that the Ducks could add some assets for the future.
Lupul’s return to Anaheim was marred by injuries and he was eventually dealt to Toronto to bring back Francois Beauchemin. Sbisa, at the time, was a young 19 year-old prospect who the Ducks eventually developed into a top-4 defenseman. He was recently sent to the Vancouver Canucks in the deal to bring Kesler to Anaheim. The 2009 1st round pick was dealt to Columbus for a first and a second in the same draft. With those picks the Ducks would end up drafting Kyle Palmieri and Matt Clark.
The most intriguing part of this deal was the 2010 1st round pick used to draft Emerson Etem. Regarded as a top prospect in the Anaheim Ducks organization, Etem looks set to start the season in the NHL.
Jan 14, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Jordan Eberle (14) watches his team take on the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Oilers 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Pronger – July 3, 2006
Acquired from Edmonton for: Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Smid, 2007 1st round pick (#30-Nick Ross), 2008 2nd round pick (#53-Travis Hamonic), 2008 Conditional 1st round pick (#22-Jordan Eberle)
It was a tough decision dropping this trade down to third in the top five, but that doesn’t take away the significance of it to the Anaheim Ducks organization.
Pronger was the missing piece that the Ducks needed to eventually secure their first Stanley Cup Championship. However, at the time he came at a pretty lofty price. Joffrey Lupul was coming off a career high 28 goals, something he would never match again, and Ladislav Smid was a solid top-4 defenseman who was also a former first round draft pick. The Oilers would end up trading both the 2007 1st round pick and the 2008 2nd round pick acquired from Anaheim, and would not pick up any impact players.
Looking back at the trade, the big name player going back to Edmonton was eventual 1st round pick Jordan Eberle. He has had four productive seasons with the Oilers putting up 221 points in 275 games. However, I think most Ducks fans would agree that they would rather have the Stanley Cup over Jordan Eberle.
Apr 27, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) waits for play to begin against the Dallas Stars during game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Ducks defeated the Stars 5-4 and win the series 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2003 1st round pick (#23-Corey Perry) – June 21, 2003
Acquired from Dallas for: 2003 2nd round pick (#36-Vojtech Polak) and 2003 2nd round pick (#54-B.J. Crombeen)
Dallas Stars fans look away now.
In a draft considered to have one of the best draft classes in NHL history, the Dallas Stars sent a 1st round pick to the Anaheim Ducks that would eventually become 50-goal scorer Corey Perry.
The Stars would receive Vojtech Polak, who would play only 5 NHL games and record no points, and B.J. Crombeen, who has established himself as a capable 4th line grinder. Not a bad price to pay for a two-time Olympic gold medalist and Hart trophy winner.
April 13, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere (35) skates with Anaheim Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne (8) following the Ducks 3-2 victory in he overtime period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jean-Sebastien Giguere – June 10, 2000
Acquired from Calgary for: 2000 2nd round pick (#43-Matt Pettinger)
Acquiring a starting goalie who leads you to two Stanley Cup Finals and a Championship for a 2nd round pick is a GM’s dream come true.
Giguere would spend nine seasons with Anaheim, taking them to the Stanley Cup finals in 2003 and, despite losing, would win the Conn Smythe Trophy. He would once again lead the Ducks to the Finals in 2007, posting a record of 13-4. However, this time he would lead the Ducks to their first Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history.
I imagine if Craig Button could go back in time that this would be one trade he would want to take back.
Any trades that you guys think should be on this list? Feel free to leave a comment below!