Dave Stevenson – Site Expert, Puck Prose
I think the Anaheim Ducks should have made a move at the trade deadline. Granted, they did make
a pretty big acquisition earlier by getting Adam Henrique for Sami Vatanen. That was probably the one huge move they could make. And it was a pretty good one.
Still, you have to wonder if the Ducks should have offered Vatanen to the Montreal Canadiens for Max Pacioretty. That trade would have made more sense for Anaheim. Henrique is good, but he’s not the consistent goal scoring threat Pacioretty is. The Ducks would probably have had to throw in a first-round pick, but for slightly less than two years of a guy who hits 30 goals regularly, it’s worth it.
I’m surprised the Ducks didn’t make a move for one of the rental forwards. Evander Kane went for a surprisingly cheap price and would have made sense for Anaheim. Thomas Vanek got traded for a fringe NHL prospect and a guy who has been put on waivers multiple times this season.
The move that would have made the most sense to the Ducks? Trading for Patrick Maroon. They’ve missed what he brings to the table. Maroon’s not a star, but he’s as reliable as they come.