Anaheim Ducks General Manager Bob Murray Dominated Trade Deadline

Feb 6, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Simon Despres (47) controls the puck against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Defense Additions: Simon Despres, James Wisniewski

First came the reports that Ben Lovejoy was on his way out of Anaheim. Lovejoy, who started his career as a Penguin, was traded back to the Pittsburgh Penguins. When Simon Despres was said to be the returning piece in exchange for Lovejoy, it was a bit of a shock to many.

Despres, who was a first-round pick of Pittsburgh in 2009, is only 23 years old and is a big body at 6’4, 215 pounds. Once again, Murray executed a well-designed hockey trade in a player-for-player deal. While Lovejoy was playing important minutes for the Ducks (primarily on the top-four with Cam Fowler), it seems Murray felt that the recent struggles of his blue liners meant a change was needed. Despres brings a little bit more offensive talent, and a whole lot of size and physicality.

Despres’ arrival means he will be another rugged blue-liner that can give this team some of the physical play that Lovejoy brought without having to sacrifice the ability to move the puck, which is a must in the NHL today. In fact, the Despres addition adds more of that skill to the blue-line. This was a deal that was completely unexpected, as many believed that Despres would be a part of the Penguins’ core.

Jan 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski (21) during their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Blue Jackets 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Next came the most impactful trade of the deadline, with the return of “Wiz”. James Wisniewski spent parts of two seasons in Anaheim (2008-2009 and 2009-2010), and he will return to the Ducks after being traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The deal required Murray to give up a bit more, as the Ducks surrendered prospect William Karlsson in the trade. Karlsson had appeared in 18 games for the Ducks this season and has a promising future. His transition to the North American game was not perfect, but he could be a very productive player and adds another young center to the mix in the Blue Jackets’ organization.

Rene Bourque and the Ducks’ 2015 second-round pick were also included in the deal. However, Murray was able to get a third-round pick from Columbus back (originally belonging to the Detroit Red Wings). This still leaves the Ducks with, technically, four draft picks in 2015. As for Bourque, he was included to make the salary figures work: Bourque has a cap-hit of $3.33 million until 2015-2016, while Wisniewski has a cap-value of $5.5 million until the 2016-2017 season.

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While giving up Karlsson was not ideal, teams must be willing to give to get. Wisniewski is a savvy veteran who is ready to help the Ducks win right now. Wisniewski racked up 44 assists and 51 points last season: the assists were a career-high, while the points matched the 51 he scored with the Islanders and Canadiens in the 2010-2011 season.

His great shot from the point is a terrific asset for the Ducks, especially on the power-play. Outside of Sami Vatanen, the Ducks seem to lack a willing “trigger-man” and tend to frustrate with the man-advantage because they do not seem to shoot the puck enough. Wisniewski should help improve a unit that is ranked 23rd in the NHL.

Wisniewski also adds a veteran experience to the team: the Ducks’ defense is a very young group, and that was not helped by the Lovejoy trade. Now, Wisniewski and Francois Beauchemin can act as the veterans leading the way on a young blue-line. Once Vatanen returns, Bruce Boudreau will have a very deep, capable blue-line.

The Ducks’ weakness at the blue-line was one of two key areas the Ducks were exposed in last postseason. It took time, but the Ducks have done everything realistically possible to address those two areas: center (with the acquisitions of Ryan Kesler and Nate Thompson, and the development of Rickard Rakell) and defense (with the acquisitions of Wisniewski and Despres and further development from Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and Vatanen).

Next: Last Two Deals: Prospect, Budget