Anaheim Ducks Trade Deadline: Jiri Sekac (Left Wing)

Dec 29, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Montreal Canadiens forward Jiri Sekac (26) skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Canadiens defeated the Hurricanes 3-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Anaheim Receives: Jiri Sekac

Sekac came over from the KHL in the offseason, coming off a season where he scored 11 goals and 28 points in 47 games for HC Lev Praha. The Czech was one of the more highly sought-after European wingers, and the Montreal Canadiens signed him for a two-year, $2.885 million entry-level contract on July 1st.

Sekac had seven goals and 16 points with a -2 rating in 50 games for the Canadiens. He started off the year with one goal in his first six games before being made a healthy scratch for seven consecutive games. However, the Canadiens would replace Sekac in the lineup with Bourque, who was then waived and later traded to the Ducks.

Sekac’s ice time was not great in Montreal. His season high for a regulation game was 18:35 on December 3rd against the Minnesota Wild, and his playing time varied. He seemed to not have the trust of head coach Michel Therrien and did not seem to fit the playing style the Canadiens’ head coach was looking for. He also hit a slump.

From January 6th until the end of his Canadiens tenure, Sekac registered one assist over 18 games, and that does not include the two games he was made a healthy scratch. He was a -7 over that stretch.

Sekac is seen as a skilled player, something the Ducks have lacked, especially on the wing. The left-wing crop for the Ducks before the trades was Bourque, Patrick Maroon, Andrew Cogliano, Matt Beleskey (who is injured), and Emerson Etem. Of the five, Etem is the most skilled, only because he is arguably the only “skill” player among them (though Beleskey may have an argument with his 2014-2015 season).

Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks have an identity as a bruising, physical team that likes to use their size and strength to wear down opponents. But look at the most recent Cup champions and perennial contenders. The Chicago Blackhawks are a team with skill. Yes, the Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins have physicality, but the foundation of their squads are players with skill. Physicality is an asset in the playoffs, but skill is still required.

The Ducks have that option as well: Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry offer size, but they are all-world players in terms of skill. Ryan Kesler is a gritty player, but he offers skills as well. The Ducks have begun a transition to a more skill and puck-moving oriented blue-line with Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and Sami Vatanen, along with players like Shea Theodore and Josh Manson in the system.

But if there is an area the Ducks could use more strength in, it is skill, especially on the wings. Perry, Jakob Silfverberg (who has arguably been deployed too often in a grinder role, rather than a skilled one), and Etem (who rarely plays because of the left-wing logjam) are the three skilled wingers on the roster.

Sekac needs time to adjust to the North American game, but that is not all. As evidenced by the success of Maroon and Beleskey, as well as the failures of Bourque and Dany Heatley, being slotted on the top-six on a line with Getzlaf or Kesler does not guarantee success. Sekac did have some issues as a “perimeter” player in Montreal (though they weren’t because of effort questions, like with Bourque, or with a complete drop-off in play, as was with Heatley). However, a change of scenery could benefit the Czech.

Unlike most trades done at this time, Sekac is not a rental. He’s only 22 and has a year left on his entry-level contract. Because of his age, the Ducks will have his rights for five more seasons before he hits unrestricted free-agency.

Sekac was sought after in free-agency for a reason. His skill is real, and if he adjusts well, his impact in the NHL could really help the Ducks. His upside as a top-six forward is real, and he brings a skill element to the team that it could use.

Next: Montreal: Smith-Pelly