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Anaheim Ducks: Could the Hurricanes Solve our Defensive Woes?

By Ciara Durant

ANAHEIM, CA - DECEMBER 07: Jakob Silfverberg #33 of the Anaheim Ducks skates through the defense of Brett Pesce #22, and Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period of a game at Honda Center on December 7, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - DECEMBER 07: Jakob Silfverberg #33 of the Anaheim Ducks skates through the defense of Brett Pesce #22, and Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period of a game at Honda Center on December 7, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 30: Jake Bean #24 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates for position on the ice during an NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks on November 30, 2018, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 30: Jake Bean #24 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates for position on the ice during an NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks on November 30, 2018, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Do the Hurricanes Have What the Ducks are Looking For?

According to TSN, the Anaheim Ducks are on the hunt to add a player to their blueline. Their eyes have shifted to the Carolina Hurricanes and the Montreal Canadians for a left-shot defenseman.

"“Anaheim has been scouting teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes. I wouldn’t say that there’s a connection yet, but Anaheim is pretty specific with what they need. Worst case scenario, they’re looking for a third-pairing guy with a left shot.” -Darren Dreger, TSN Hockey Insider"

Although I normally take trade rumors with a grain of salt, at least until they come to fruition, trading for a defenseman would make a lot of sense for the Anaheim Ducks. Currently, with injuries, they have Jacob Larsson, Hampus Lindholm, and Andrej Sustr on the left side.

Once Cam Fowler returns to the lineup, that leaves either Larsson or Sustr on the left. I believe that Larsson has a better upside than Sustr. However, he has really only shown significant chemistry with Josh Manson this season, and we all know that Manson will be paired with Fowler once he’s back in the lineup.

Larsson has shown signs of being NHL ready, but I don’t quite believe he is there yet. He is prone to making mistakes that, at this level, he shouldn’t be making. If he’s “demoted” to the third pairing, he would most likely be paired with Jake Dotchin and until I see them in action together, I have an uneasy feeling about this as the Anaheim Ducks third pairing.

That is why I think it would be extremely smart for the Ducks to go after a left shot defenseman. The Hurricanes currently have two in their system that I think the Anaheim Ducks should take a serious look at. Both are still young, but could potentially be what Anaheim needs to strengthen their shaky blueline.

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