Anaheim Ducks: Five Trade Targets for this Offseason
The NHL Entry Draft has become the NHL’s second biggest Christmas next to trade deadline Day. If Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray makes a deal this week, these are players he should consider.
Much of the excitement garnered by the NHL draft has to do with the trades that precede it. Teams are looking to alter their composition or to add a piece they hope leads to hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup. Either way, fans are eagerly awaiting the upcoming moves. The trading floor opened when Arizona exchanged winger Max Domi with Montreal’s Alexander Galchenyuk.
The Anaheim Ducks are in strange position entering into trade season. Despite remaining among the elite teams for the last half-decade, they are poised for serious changes. General Manager Bob Murray vowed to become a faster team. He may have to sacrifice a member of the Ducks core to accomplish the task. Here are five potential trade targets for the Ducks.
Murray’s trade history
I did a quick analysis of all the Ducks trades with Murray at the helm. A significant trade constitutes a top 4 Defenseman or top 6 forward, and I only counted trades including an NHL level player. The Ducks most common trade partners have been Toronto (8 trades, 3 significant), Edmonton* (5 trades, 2 significant) and Montreal (5 trades, 0 significant). In total, GMBM has completed 56 trades, with 18 being significant.
Outside of the Kings, we have made at least one trade with each member of the Pacific Division. We made two significant trades with the Oilers* (Maroon, Pronger) and one with Vancouver (Kesler).
*A majority of the trades were completed prior to Edmonton joining the Pacific Division in 2013.
Honorable mentions
Sam Bennett – Bennett still has the talent which made him the 4th overall pick but needs a change of scenery. Sportnet’s Elliot Friedman believes a team like the Flames would be a fit for Perry. A trade could benefit both teams, but it’s unlikely he gets traded within the division.
Sam Reinhart – A highly skilled player who could jump-start the Anaheim Ducks transition to a faster team. He’s scored over 40 points in his first three seasons and topped 20+ goals twice. His name has been circulating on the rumor mill though it’s hard to imagine Buffalo deals their young goal scorer.
Noah Hanifin – Another top 5 draft pick, who is in the rumor mill thanks to a fire sale of all Hurricanes assets. Hanifin is a young player a team could build around. As good as he would look on the Ducks, a defenseman is not a priority.
Vladislav Namestnikov – His game is exactly what the Ducks are looking to inject into the roster. Namestnikov struggled after being traded to the Rangers (two goals, four points in 19 games), which got the young 20 goal scorer a spot on TSN’s trade bait list. The fear is his point production was a product on Tampa’s explosive offense.
Artemi Panarin – Per Friedman, Columbus is gauging interest in the Russian since he wants to test free agency next year. Panarin is electric in the offensive zone. His 2018 playoff performance raised his stock.
Jeff Skinner
Chances of being traded – 99%. Carolina is selling off all assets and he’s the first to go.
Pros – Skinner has been a goal-scoring force since entering the league. He has fantastic speed and plays the type of game we are trying to adopt. In addition to being one of the leagues best snipers, he is an underrated passer. In eight NHL seasons, he failed to top 20 goals only once when playing a full 82 games.
Cons – His history of concussions is concerning, to say the least. It affected his game for several seasons and why his name is kicking around the rumor mill. The concussions issues appear to be in his past but will remain a concern for teams.
Package Needed – With only one year left on his contract, a package will likely include a top prospect and a first-round pick. For the Anaheim Ducks it would look like Ritchie and a first-round pick; possibly Larson or Max Jones in lieu of Ritchie, but that would require sign and trade.
Ryan O’Reilly
Chances of being traded – 75%. The Sabres are building around Jack Eichel and Casey Mittelstadt at center. They are looking for help on the wing so the talented two-way center will likely be wearing another sweater next season.
Pros – O’Reilly is a high-end second line center. Outside of his first two NHL seasons, O’Reilly has scored between 55-60 points every full season he’s played. In addition, ROR has been a reliable shutdown center. With Kesler’s status in doubt, O’Reilly is an ideal replacement.
Cons – Despite his skills, he wore out his welcome in Colorado. There’s also his contract, which has five years left at $7.5M. If Kesler ends up playing in this season, or the next, the Anaheim Ducks would have $22.5M tied up in centers. Subsequently, Murray has to stay young on the wing or risk having to make several more trades to ensure cap compliance.
Package Needed – He’s a top-six center, the package would likely need to include a first-round pick and a prime prospect. Depending on the quality of the prospect, the Ducks would need a package akin to a first, Ritchie, and Sideroff or a first and Max Jones.
Andre Burakovsky
Chances of being trade – 40%. During the Capitals run to the cup, Jacob Vrana emerged as Andre Burakvosky’s replacement on the second line. With Washington potentially giving John Carlson a small fortune, Burakovksy could be used to free up salary ($3M and an RFA next season).
Pros – Burakovsky plays a solid two-way game, making him a potential fit with Silfverberg. His offensive game hasn’t fully developed. Don’t be surprised if it happens sooner rather than later. His contract is reasonable and he is a candidate for a team friendly extension.
Cons – His offensive game still hasn’t developed and if it doesn’t progress, he’s a third line winger. In addition, Isabelle Khurshudyan reported via Twitter, Burakovksy sees a sports psychologist regarding how hard he is on himself. It’s good he is driven to succeed and is aware he needs professional help. The concern would be he suffers a yips induced breakdown.
Package needed – This could potentially be a “hockey trade.” If Carlson leaves via free agency, a player like Andy Welinski could be attractive to them. He could be Carlson lite as he’s solid in his own zone and a power play specialist. Being able to play the point on Capitals power play could be enough to pry Burakovsky out of Washington, but it likely cost the Ducks a mid-round pick as well.
#2 – Max Pacioretty
Chances of being traded – 70%. The Canadiens have entered into a reported rebuild but appears more like a catastrophe. Surprisingly, he wasn’t traded at last year’s trade deadline. It’s more likely than not he’s on a plane out of Montreal in the near future.
Pros – Max Pacioretty is a constant 30+ goal and 60+ point achiever. He does a good job reading the play and putting the puck where it needs to go. In addition, he has good speed and leadership ability. “Patches” plays a very sound defensive game, so he could also pair nicely with Silfveberg.
Cons – He doesn’t play a game that translates well to the postseason. Pacioretty is occasionally overwhelmed by stronger opponents. If his two playoff appearances (2012-13, 2016-17) are combined with the Olympics (comparable to playoff hockey), he has a grand total of two points (both assists). With only one year left on his contract and the high price to resign him, it’s possible we only view him as a rental.
Package needed – Due to his leadership, goal scoring ability and the inexpensive year remaining on his contract, the package for him is likely going to be high. I see a contending team with limited cap space putting together a better package that the Anaheim Ducks couldn’t match. If he comes to the OC, it will likely cost a first, Max Jones, and Marcus Pettersson.
William Nylander
Chances of being traded – 30%. Nylander has the highest upside of any player on this list and would not be made available if he was in any organization. Per Bob McKenzie, Toronto will make a serious push to get Tavares should he enter UFA status. If that happens, Nylander will likely be on the move since he’s in line for a huge pay raise.
More from Pucks of a Feather
- 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?
Pros – William Nylander is a potential franchise player. He has topped 60+ points and at least 20 goals in both his full seasons of play. He’s a great skater and his ability to pass the puck creates easy goals for his line-mates. Despite the impressive point totals, the young Swede has the ability to produce even more.
Cons – Even though he is listed as a center, his future is likely on the wing. Nylander is a bit undersized and gets pushed off the puck at times. His biggest flaw has been failing to backcheck, which has caused conflict with Coach Mike Babcock.
Package needed – Toronto is looking for defense. A player of Nylander’s quality should yield the Leafs an established or nearly established top-four defenseman. Brandon Montour and Cam Fowler would be the players Toronto would likely want in return.
Next: 5 opposing players Ducks fans love to hate
If Larsson is a player they covet enough to build a deal around, the Ducks would need a big addition or two. Considering Murray’s positive trade history with Toronto, the Ducks would have a chance to get Nylander if made available.