The NHL trade deadline is just two days away and the Anaheim Ducks could go after a winger, here are 25 trade targets.
We are now just under 48 hours away from the NHL trade deadline and things are starting to heat up. The Anaheim Ducks have been the NHL’s hottest team since Christmas and many believe they are in the market for a top 6 winger while others believe GM Bob Murray may stand pat at the deadline.
Whether Murray makes a move or elects to keep things as are with this drastic turnaround still in effect, there are plenty of names out there on the open market right now.
I’ve broken down my trade targets into three categories:
- Pure rentals (UFA’s at seasons end)- With so many of their own RFA’s needing new deals this summer, Murray and the Ducks could look for a low cost rental to improve their forward depth.
- Young targets (RFA’s at seasons end)- Murray said the other day that he likes some of the players out there that he can build around.
- Other targets (some dark horse trade targets)- Again, some young players with term and reasonable salary for Murray to acquire, some might be more likely off-season deals however.
With each trade target I will discuss four things:
- The player and what his stats/contract look like.
- Why it makes sense and why it might not make sense.
- I’ll rank on a scale of 1-10 (10 being it makes sense and a great return for the Ducks) of how strong an impact the player could make with the Ducks.
- I’ll rank on a scale of 1-10 (10 being most likely) of how likely the deal is to happen.
Let’s jump right into it starting with the rentals.
The Rentals
Jamie McGinn, LW, Buffalo- McGinn is having a decent season with Buffalo, 14 goals, 27 points in 62 games. He ranks 3rd amongst Buffalo forwards in terms of 5 v 5 goals per 60 and points per 60 which is something notable for sure. He ranks 4th in individual high danger scoring chances as well. McGinn has been a regular in Buffalo’s top 6 playing primarily with Ryan O’Reilly, Evander Kane and at times, Sam Reinhart.
More from Ducks News
- Who could the Anaheim Ducks consider presenting offer sheets to?
- Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
- Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
- Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
- How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?
What McGinn would bring to the Ducks is a winger with top 6 capability. If Nick Ritchie is sent back down it would make sense for McGinn to play with Perry and Rakell. I’ve seen a few mention that the price for McGinn would be a 3rd or 4th round pick. The Ducks have two 3rd round picks this year, moving one might make sense.
What kind of impact would McGinn have- 6 out of 10
How likely is a McGinn deal- 6 out of 10
Loui Eriksson, LW, Boston- It seems as though Boston is really trying hard to get an extension done with Eriksson. Even if they don’t get one done before Monday’s deadline, it seems like the Bruins will hold onto him as he is their leading scorer and they are currently in a playoff position.
I don’t think Eriksson will be dealt so I’ll end this here.
What kind of impact would Eriksson have- 9 out of 10
How likely is a Eriksson deal- 1 out of 10
P.A. Parenteau, RW, Toronto- The Leafs have apparently told Parenteau that he will be dealt before the deadline. The Ducks drafted Parenteau back in 2001 and the 32 year old has 32 points in 59 games this season in Toronto. 2nd amongst Leafs forwards in goals and points per 60, 2nd in high danger and regular scoring chances. He’s been effective on a bad leafs team.
Parenteau would be a nice fit possibly playing on the Getzlaf-Perron line. The return could be similar to McGinn’s, possibly a 3rd round pick, maybe a bit more but he could be a guy that helps the Ducks for sure.
What kind of impact would Parenteau have- 7 out of 10
How likely is a Parenteau deal- 4 out of 10
Kris Versteeg, LW, Carolina- Versteeg is quietly having a nice season in Carolina, 33 points in 62 games and he brings that veteran playoff experience. He was a member of the Hawks cup team last season and he could make an impact with the Ducks.
Carolina could be sellers, they could be buyers, but I think the price will be unattractive to Bob Murray and I don’t think Versteeg is a top option for the Ducks.
What kind of impact would Vertseeg have- 5 out of 10
How likely is a Vertseeg deal- 3 out of 10
Mikkel Boedker, LW, Arizona-With Andrew Ladd and Dale Weise off the board, Boedker is one of the top rental options. 38 points in 61 games, another guy that makes any playoff team better. He’s 26 years old and playing his best hockey right now.
Plain and simple, there’s a lot of things that Boedker has done well this season and he is just flat out a very good player that would instantly make the Ducks a better team up front. Another guy that you could slot next to Perry and Rakell. However, the price will be steep, especially after what Chicago paid for Ladd and Weise, that may steer Murray away despite the talent.
What kind of impact would Boedker have- 8 out of 10
How likely is a Boedker deal- 3 out of 10
Lee Stempniak, RW, New Jersey- New Jersey has hung around the playoff picture all season but have reportedly been shopping Stempniak. He has been one of their best forwards this season and there is trade history between Bob Murray and Devils GM Ray Shero.
41 points in 63 games for Stempniak, the price may be steep here as well, but Stempniak would look very nice next to Getzlaf and Perron. Again, the trade history between Murray and Shero allows me to believe that maybe the Ducks can find a way to work out a favorable deal.
What kind of impact would Stempniak have- 8 out of 10
How likely is a Stempniak deal- 6 out of 10
Young Upcoming RFA’s
Alex Killorn, LW, Tampa Bay- This is one of my dark horse trades that would be shocking if it happens, but it makes some sense. Killorn is an RFA at season end and Tampa has a ton of guys to re-sign this offseason and next. Can they sign Killorn? Maybe.
More from Ducks News
- Who could the Anaheim Ducks consider presenting offer sheets to?
- Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
- Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
- Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
- How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?
Killorn is a big guy that plays a strong game and he would mesh perfectly with what the Ducks try and do. Tampa is in the market for a defensemen, maybe a defensive prospect? Brandon Montour is a guy that could entice Steve Yzerman. It’s not entirely likely to happen, but it’s a thought.
What kind of impact would Killorn have- 7 out of 10
How likely is a Killorn deal- 1 out of 10
Marcus Johansson, C/LW, Washington- Johansson has been rumored to be available for some time now but nothing has been stated on this lately. Washington has a ton of young forwards that will have priority over Johansson in terms of value for the future.
He’s a skilled Swedish born guy that can play center or on the wing. He has underrated playmaking ability and I think he can really make the Ducks better. You can put him on the Rakell-Perry line as a playmaker or you could slot him somewhere else, he plays a good two-way game and can produce on the power play with his strong passing ability.
He’s an RFA at seasons end but has 35 points. John Carlson will miss about a month for the Caps, could Murray offer up a defensemen to bring in Johansson? Maybe, it might not be worth it though due to the expiring contract factor.
What kind of impact would Johansson have- 7 out of 10
How likely is a Johansson deal- 1 out of 10
Other Potential Targets
Gustav Nyquist/Tomas Tatar, W, Detroit- I saw this deal thrown out there the other day in a Craig Custance article. One executive mentioned in the article said he could see a Vatanen for a Detroit winger deal happening. The Wings could use a defensemen such as Vatanen or Fowler and the Ducks could use a young winger like Nyquist or Tatar.
More from Ducks News
- Who could the Anaheim Ducks consider presenting offer sheets to?
- Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
- Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
- Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
- How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?
This would be a hockey deal, player for player, that could entice Murray, but I don’t know if he would be comfortable trading one of his young defensemen right now. This is a deal that could gain more momentum in the offseason.
What kind of impact would Nyquist/Tatar have- 8 out of 10
How likely is a Nyquist/Tatar deal- 1 out of 10
Jonathan Drouin, LW, Tampa Bay- I’ve talked about this 100 times, so I’ll keep this one short. A Drouin trade is all about the future. Yes he helps you now, he’s an elite player with great hands and offensive skill, but he is young and he brightens the Ducks future up front no doubt.
Tampa supposedly wants a right shot puck moving defensemen for Drouin, one that could help them this season. So Sami Vatanen, Fowler might be an option, but the price is definitely high. This is a deal that Murray would make to solidify the future up front past Rakell and Ritchie. Allowing Chicago, St. Louis or another western conference team to get Drouin would be brutal, he’s going to be a really good player in this league.
What kind of impact would Drouin have- 9 out of 10 (all about the future)
How likely is a Drouin deal- 3 out of 10
Leo Komarov, RW, Toronto- I do not know if the Leafs are looking to move Komarov, but he could help the Ducks. He plays a physical game and is amongst the league leaders in hits, he has also produced a ton offensively this season and was the Leafs lone all star.
Toronto would be looking for draft picks and maybe a prospect in a Komarov deal and maybe Murray could work something out. He has two years left on his deal after this season with a salary of $2.95 million each season.
I just think Komarov’s style of play is something that could intrigue Murray. If the Leafs are willing to take on a Nate Thompson or Pat Maroon contract, it could make sense if Murray throws in a 2016 3rd or a 2017 2nd for the Leafs, who now have 28 draft picks through 2018.
What kind of impact would Komarov have- 7 out of 10
How likely is a Komarov deal- 3 out of 10
Alex Galchenyuk, W/C, Montreal- This is the deal I like the most. If there was ever a time to make a big move to get Galchenyuk, it would be now. The price will be high but I think Galchenyuk is going to be a star. Montreal has already begun to sell their upcoming UFA’s and if the right deal is there, I think Marc Bergevin could consider move Galchenyuk before the deadline or maybe this offseason.
He would look very nice on the Rakell-Perry line and this deal does not really need any more explanation, it would make the Ducks incredibly dangerous this postseason and for years to come.
What kind of impact would Galchenyuk have- 8 out of 10
How likely is a Galchenyuk deal- 2 out of 10
Cam Atkinson, RW, Columbus- I like Atkinson a lot. He’s had a really nice season with 38 points and I think he could find a home on the Getzlaf-Perron line.
However, the price will be high and Atkinson is set to make $3.5 million next season and $4.5 million the season after that. A contract would have to move the other way in order for Murray to feel comfortable acquiring Atkinson and his salary. Another deal I can daydream about but I’m not sure it is logical, not now anyway.
What kind of impact would Atkisnon have- 7 out of 10
How likely is an Atkinson deal- 1 out of 10
Next: Ducks claim Wagner, Murray talks deadline
There you have it, some logical and illogical deals for you to think about. Pieces are beginning to move around the league and there will be plenty more excitement between now and Monday’s deadline. Stay tuned.
stats via war-on-ice.com salary information via generalfanager.com