Anaheim Ducks Trade Deadline Primer: 5 Trade Candidates
With the trade deadline quickly approaching, and the Anaheim Ducks, who will likely be sellers, have a lot of decisions to make.
The NHL trade deadline is Monday, February 25, 2019. With the deadline quickly approaching, General Manager/Head Coach Bob Murray‘s Anaheim Ducks are, uncharacteristically, sellers. Despite being obvious sellers, Murray doesn’t have the ideal assets a “seller,” would typically move.
Outside of Jakob Silfverberg, whose situation Eddy Jones recently discussed in detail, CapFriendly shows the Ducks have Brian Gibbons, Derek Grant, Michael Del Zotto and Korbinian Holzer on expiring contracts. It’s possible one or two of the guys fetch a late-round pick, but there will be minimal demand and Murray will approach the deadline differently.
It’s quite possible Murray waits until the offseason to make any trades (besides Silfverberg.) GMBM has always been a fan of “hockey trades,” so there will likely be a surprise or two near the trade deadline. Now the fun part, who will those players be?
Honorable Mention
Ryan Getzlaf — despite affirming a desire to remain with the Anaheim Ducks, Murray insisted he is listening to everything at the moment. While it’s possible he’s traded for a massive haul by a contender, it’s unlikely. Sam Steel is a prospect worth getting excited about, but there is not a prospect in Anaheim’s pipeline capable of being an elite Center.
Hampus Lindholm/Brandon Montour — it’s possible either player is moved at the deadline if a team is willing to massively overpay, but the likelihood is extremely low. Both are young players who have already shown exceptional ability and have the potential to be special.
Rickard Rakell — Despite his recent struggles (9 goals on the season), Ricky is 25 and scored 30+ goals the last two seasons. He’s also an, astonishingly, team friendly contract (3 years remaining at $3.79 mil), which would mean a very solid haul coming back. He’s closer to a building block than a trade chip and Murray should retain his services.
5. Jacob Larsson, 21-years-old, Left Defense
Why He’s on the Trade Block
The young blueliner, Jacob Larsson, saw a 38 game audition this season with Anaheim. Despite a less than stellar 48% Corsi according to hockey reference, it remains second best of the club for any defenseman that has seen more than 19 games of action. Meaning, it’s a reflection of the Ducks struggles more than an indictment on the prospect.
In his limited NHL action, he showed a rapidly improving game and is poised to join the NHL ranks for good next season. With his age and Anaheim’s crowded blueline, Murray is will look to flip defensive depth for offensive talent. GMBM already pulled off a similar move this year when he traded Marcus Pettersson for Daniel Sprong.
Why He Stays
It’s no secret the Ducks are retooling, so reshaping the core group means at least one of the top 4 blueliners will be on their way out. When Fowler went on IR, Larsson stepped in admirably and displayed the skill necessary for a top 4 role.
While his offensive game is a work in progress, he has a solid outlet pass and played well defensively. Keeping a young player on his Entry Level Contract in lieu of one of the higher paid guys gives the Anaheim Ducks salary cap flexibility.
Looming in 2021 is Seattle’s expansion draft. Teams are only able to protect 3 defenseman, which Anaheim paid dearly for when Las Vegas joined the ranks and is not something Murray wants to happen a second time around. Larsson would be exposed to expansion, but Anaheim could retain him at a much lesser price if GMBM desired.
The Best Fit
Buffalo — with the Sabres playoff hopes dwindling, it’s unlikely they will be “buyers.” While their right defense is solid and they have the spectacular Rasmus Dahlin, their left side leaves a lot to be desired.
Buffalo’s notable prospects: Alexander Nylander, Brendan Guhle, Rasmus Asplund, Victor Olofsson.
4. Nick Ritchie, 23-years-old, Left Wing
Why He’s On the Trade Block
To the surprise of most Ducks fans, Nick Ritchie is enjoying a breakout campaign (you can read about why I believed Ducks fans should give him a chance). With his value peaking and Anaheim’s desire to become a faster team, the time is right to move out the blossoming power forward.
Despite the league trending towards faster play, teams still look to add physical players for long playoff runs. Ritchie has proven to be a good counterpart to faster line-mates like Daniel Sprong and Ondrej Kase. As a result, faster teams lacking physicality will be looking to obtain Ritchie’s size via trade.
Why He Stays
As noted above, Ritchie is enjoying a breakout campaign. Even with the Ducks struggling to produce offense, he’s on a nearly 50 pt pace for the season (25 points in 42 games). Quietly, he has added some playmaking ability to his arsenal and has aided to the success of both Sprong and Kase.
NR37’s dedicated offseason has paid off and he’s taken a big leap forward in his development. He was recently added to the top Power Play unit, but was is more surprising has been his ability to kill penalties. He’s not a player known for his defensive ability, so it goes to show how much the coaches are trusting him to make the right decision. He still takes careless penalties, but Ritchie has done a nice job limiting the frequency in which they happen.
Best Fit
Philadelphia — The Flyers have miraculously turned their season around and are pushing to make the playoffs. They may not be “buyers” per se, which is why a controllable player like Ritchie makes sense. Wayne Simmonds is gone after this season, if not before, so NR37 is a player who can fill a similar role on the team.
Philly’s notable prospects: Nolan Patrick, Scott Laughton, Philippe Myers, Morgan Frost, Joel Farabee, Jay O’Brien.
3. Josh Manson, 27-years-old, Right Defense
Why He’s on the Trade Block
The Anaheim Ducks poor play this season is exemplified by Josh Manson‘s own struggles. The entire defensive unit started the year off rushing passes and making poor decisions with the puck. While Lindholm and Montour improved in that area, Manson hasn’t been able to get his timing down and still misses on routine passes far too often for a player of his caliber.
42 would have no shortage of suitors should the Anaheim Ducks be willing to trade him. Being a modern-day physical Dman, who is a good skater and capable of producing offense, as well as a right-shot, Manson would garner a significant return. If trading Manson can net an offensively dynamic player and, possibly, a first round pick, Murray would be hard pressed to pass it up.
Why He Stays
In a league where speed reigns king, players capable of adapting the stay-at-home style of play to today’s game is a rarity. 42 has struggled in all areas of his game, but his career average 51.4% Corsi is not common for a player known mainly for his defense.
Manson is renowned for his willingness to defend his teammates and deliver massive hits. At times, he’s dawned the Alternate Captain “A” on his sweater as well. Murray wants to retool Anaheim’s roster, but trading a player of his ilk can cause negative ripple effects throughout the locker room.
Best Fit
Toronto — it’s no secret they are looking a right-shot to their defense. Montour has also been linked to them, but he will likely be in for a big raise after next season and Manson’s $4.1 mil cap hit would be much more affordable for them.
Toronto’s notable prospects: Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson, Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, Jeremy Bracco.
2. Cam Fowler, 27-years-old, Left Defense
Why He’s on the Trade Block
Bob Murray’s talks about needing one of his younger core players to become a leader and it appears his comments are aimed in Cam Fowler‘s direction. He’s not a vocal player, at least he doesn’t seem that way outside the locker room, so he doesn’t offer much of a positive influence in games should his play be lacking… and it has been.
“Cam America,” is only 27, but entering the league after being drafted as a 19-year-old has put a lot of tread on his tires. This season will mark the 4th time in the last 6 years he has played 70 games or less. 4’s skating ability is among the best league-wide and allows him to control the pace of play and retrieve pucks at an elite level.
The biggest reason to trade Fowler would be the prospects the Anaheim Ducks would receive. Anaheim has several talented players pushing for roster spots, but none of the elite caliber. Murray would be able to acquire one, if not two, prospects with elite pedigrees if he moves the swift-skating blueliner.
Why He Stays
Recently becoming Anaheim’s all-time leader in games played by a defenseman, Fowler has been a steadying presence in his 9 years with the club. His ability to retrieve pucks and skate it out of difficult situations are at an elite level. In spite of being considered an “offensive Dman,” he has started more than 50% of his shifts in the defensive zone since his 4th year in the league.
Still, only 27, Fowler is just now entering his prime of a defenseman’s career. Further, Anaheim wants to stay competitive and that’s a difficult task when you trade, arguably, the teams best blueliner.
With the ink just drying on his 8-year contract extension, Murray is intended to keep the rearguard in Anaheim for the rest of his career.
Best fit
Montreal — The Habs are in need of a defensive partner for Shea Weber. Considered a rebuilding franchise, the Canadians are now a team entering the conversation as a serious contender for the Stanley Cup. Being a team with a young core, the Canadiens like the fact Fowler is signed to an extended contract.
Montreal’s notable prospects: Nick Suzuki, Ryan Poehling, Jesse Ylonen, Noah Juulsen, Joni Ikonen, Artturi Lehkonen.
1. Adam Henrique, 29-years-old, Center
Why He’s on the Trade Block
Currently sitting 16th on TSN’s trade bait list, Adam Henrique‘s time with the club could soon be at an end. With the Anaheim Ducks looking to retool and having so much salary spent on Centers Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler (both of whom have No Movement Clauses), Henrique is the unfortunate candidate on the trade block. Teams that missed out on Matt Duchene will be keeping Murray on speed dial.
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Henrique plays a solid two-way game and, at times, a pivot who drives the play in the offensive. When he’s not scoring points, he plays a sound defensive game. In his arsenal is the ability to play wing at a high level, so Uncle Rico’s trade value isn’t limited to teams in need of center depth.
Subsequently, teams needing a scoring winger will cover the veterans flexibility. Adding a high-quality winger who can also play center is a value to any organization, which would also allow Murray to garner a significant return.
Why He Stays
Rico has been one of our most consistent centers on the season. He has only 12 goals on the season, a far cry from his 24 goals last season, but his 31 points are good enough for second on the team and are only 7 points off of the team lead. Without consistent linemates for most of the season, his point total isn’t indicative of his solid play.
Henrique has helped in developing some of the younger Ducks players like Sprong, Ritchie, and Kase. With Kesler’s career effectively at an end and Sam Steel transitioning to the NHL next season, Henrique is a key piece in Steel’s development.
Rico can serve as a mentor 2C while Steel learns to adapt his game to the NHL level. He can take the harder defensive assignments and high-stress situations, so Steel can be placed in the best situations to succeed. After Kesler’s unsuccessful return from injury, acquiring a player like Henrique was essential and there will be a massive hold in the lineup were he to be moved.
Best Fit
Minnesota — The Wild are in need of a center depth after their long-time captain, Mikko Koivu, was placed on LTIR with a season-ending knee injury. With Bruce Boudreau‘s recent guarantee they will make the playoffs, finding a replacement for Koivu is a must.
Minnesota’s notable prospects: Kirill Kaprizov, Luke Kunin, Ivan Lodnia, Jordan Greenway.
Next. Buy, Try, Sigh, or Cry — Trade Deadline Edition. dark
What says you Ducks Nation? Who do you think Bob Murray will move during the trade deadline? Let us know by leaving a comment down below!