Redan Lopez – Contributor, LA Sports Hub
Yes, there are several Ducks’ skaters that are “untouchable” in a trade as of today. The Ducks Stanley Cup Window is still very much open this season and for a couple seasons thereafter. As a result, I don’t see skaters that are part of the Ducks’ core: Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, Adam Henrique, Rickard Rakell, Jakob Silfverberg, Andrew Cogliano, Corey Perry, Ondrej Kase, Nick Ritchie, Hampus Lindholm, Cam Fowler, Josh Manson, Brandon Montour being traded. Wow, those are a lot of “untouchables”.
As long as these Ducks perform at a high enough level, I don’t see the aforementioned being tampered with. Giving anyway any of these players will not make the Ducks better now. If anything, the Ducks need to build with this group; not break things down. The group’s focus (and by extension Murray’s goal) is the on the present. Make the playoffs any way possible and win the Stanley Cup.
In the minors, there are a few that I consider untouchable too: Max Jones, Sam Steel, Jacob Larsson. These three are definitely part of the Ducks’ immediate and long-term future. There are reasons the Ducks’ drafted these players. They have high potential and there is a strong belief among those within the organization they can make a solid impact. Otherwise, why would they have been drafted in the first round?
Anaheim is a team that drafts well and develops their players into everyday NHLers. Homegrown talent is an important part of many teams. Trading young players who you initially believe in, can turn into a missed opportunity if you give them away. Why not hold on to them and see how well they develop?
The Ducks do have several “untouchable” skaters. They won’t be “touchable” unless they fail to perform the way management believes they can.