5 Players the Anaheim Ducks Should Target in Preparation for a Retool
With a retool right around the corner, the Anaheim Ducks need to consider adding some pieces via trade or free agency.
Saying the Anaheim Ducks had significant struggles last season is an understatement. Be that as it may, General Manager Bob Murray was adamant the Ducks are not in need of a rebuild, but a retooling. After GMBM took over the reins as Head Coach, thus famously becoming GMHCBM, several promising rookies and previously missing-in-action veterans prompted skeptics to believe his assertion.
There’s little doubt several Ducks will be morphed into different creatures or acts of nature via trade, buy-out, waivers, etc. In addition, GMBM will be tasked with making several additions to the current roster in hopes of legitimizing Anaheim’s chances of contending during Ryan Getlzaf’s finals years as a number 1 center. The expectations is Free Agency will be quiet and any major additions will likely come through trade, but there is a slight possibility of adding a prized free agent.
In the past, Murray has been hesitant to utilize cap space afforded to the team for players on Long Term Injured Reserve. It is largely due to the salary cap ramifications it would create if/when the player returns from injury. With Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves careers likely over, a trip to the LTIR would free up some valuable cap space GMBM could utilize to add a high-end weapon to the roster.
One way or another, the roster needs to add high-end talent that’s ready to contribute. I analyze the best fit among players reportedly on the market via free agency or trade. Let the big-game hunting begin.
Honorable Mentions
Artturi Lehkonen, LW Montreal – The Finnish native has a high-end skill set but has lacked the ability to capitalize on his scoring chances. Adding his speed to the bottom 6 would be a welcomed addition; however, his potential is likely a good 3rd line player. He is the most realistic option, but where’s the fun in that?
Brandon Saad, LW/RW Chicago – Another player that would add speed, but also has goal scoring ability. He has consistently been in the rumor mill, so Murray could look to add the player who burned the Anaheim Ducks in the 2014 Western Conference Finals.
Nolan Patrick, C Philadelphia – The former second overall draft pick was a surprising name sifting around the rumor mill last season. Failing to live up to his draft slot after two seasons, the talented center could be looking for a change of scenery.
Kris Letang, RD Pittsburgh – Murray wanted to add a right shot, physical defenseman with size, which he reportedly accomplished in signing Jani Hakanpaa. However, he also wanted to add a big shot he could utilize on the PP and there’s still a vacancy on the second line. Letang is reportedly available and has a championship pedigree, but he’s already 32 years old and fans would be groaning the addition of another player exiting his prime.
Brayden Schenn, C St Louis – Before the Blues climbed from the NHL cellar and became serious contenders, Schenn was a popular trade candidate. Although the scoring forward only has one more year on his contract, he would be a welcomed addition to the Anaheim Ducks roster and provide a formidable center duo with Getzlaf. However, it’s unlikely Murray will add a rental to a team he’s not sure will be true contenders, so any trade would require an extension to be in place and that’s unlikely to happen.
5. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, 23 years old, Winnipeg Jets
Pros
Nikolaj Ehlers is a dynamic weapon and capable of solidifying our need to add a proven goal scorer to the team. His career average in Corsi and Fenwick are both well over 52%, and he has yet to be a negative possession player. He has the speed Murray covets and the high-level skill set that is thriving in today’s NHL. Further, Ehlers has proven to be useful on the power-play and, at only 23 years old, he has the potential to become an even better player.
Cons
Ehlers isn’t the biggest player and he missed 20 games this season due to injury. He did play a full 82 games the previous two seasons, so injuries are not a huge concern and not something habitual. Anaheim’s Ondrej Kase is a similarly built player and his physical ailments since entering the league could make Murray tentative on ponying up the pieces required to acquire the young stud.
Ehler’s doesn’t have a large sample size in playoffs, as Winnipeg has only made the postseason twice since he’s been on the roster, but his production has been middling. He has failed to score a goal in 21 postseason contest and has only managed 7 assists.
Why He’s Available
Players of Ehler’s caliber don’t often become available, especially when they’re only 23 years old. After missing extended time this season and the team fairing well without him, he is seen as a movable asset. As mentioned above, his skills have yet to translate to the postseason and his goose egg in this year’s tournament definitely left the Jets front-office wondering if he’s part of their future.
4. Nazem Kadri, Center, 28 years old, Toronto Maple Leafs
Pros
Nazem Kadri is a high-end defensive center who has potted 30+ goals the two seasons proceeding the John Tavares era in Toronto. Routinely tasked with handling the oppositions best players, Kadri has been a key part of the Maple Leafs return to prominence.
The Anaheim Ducks are in need of a true second line center and Kadri is entering his prime. Not to mention, he has a very manageable salary cap hit ($4.5mil) for the next 3 campaigns. He is routinely a positive player in the puck possession department and brings a physical presence the Ducks sorely missed last season.
Cons
Kadri isn’t old, but he has a lot of miles on his body. He plays a physical brand of hockey and has had extended exposure in the NHL for almost 10 years. Ryan Kesler is a similar type player and Anaheim Duck fans are all too cognizant of how that signing has panned out. Kadri is younger and signed for a team friendly price, but it’s something to monitor. What also has to be monitored is his penchant for suspensions, which is discussed below.
Why He’s Available
Anyone watching the playoffs knows why Toronto is open to moving the talented center. The overly-aggressive Kadri has been suspended in each of the past two playoffs for reckless hits to the opponents head. Not being able to ice one the teams best players in an elimination game due to suspension is enough to make any coach/GM stir crazy.
In such a hockey heavy market, negative pressure from the media could be the driving force behind General Manage Kyle Dubas trading the pivot. With Mitch Marner and several other players needing new contracts, Dubas may be looking to move Kadri to free up salary and recoup young, cost-controlled assets and/or picks as well.
3. Matt Duchene, Center, 28 years old, Columbus Blue Jackets (Pending UFA)
Pros
Signing the well-traveled Matt Duchene would give the Ducks one the leagues best center pairings. With Getzlaf in the twilight of his prime, adding the offensively gifted Duchene would allow Getzy to avoid match-ups against the oppositions shutdown line.
Duchene is coming off a stellar playoff performance and is nearly a point-per-game player in the postseason (albeit a small sample size). Duchene has an amazing shot and has been very good in the faceoff dot. There isn’t a lot to dislike about his game and having personal success with multiple franchises over the past few years ensures his success isn’t tied to a single system.
Cons
The biggest con in signing Duchene will be how many suitors he has; and, consequently the contract he’ll receive. In addition, Duchene has a much-publicized desire to be on a competing team and Anaheim’s struggles this year could make them an afterthought.
To emphasize the point, he joined Ottawa after they mad a run to the Eastern Conference Finals, only to end up in the gutter for the next 1.5 seasons. That being said, the Anaheim Ducks have been one of the most successful franchises since he entered the league and are poised to rebound, so don’t count the mallards out just yet.
Why He’s Available
Quite simply, he wants to be a free agent. His desire to pursue free agency caused Ottawa to ship the pivot to Columbus. Columbus was loading up for a cup run and knew he was a rental, so he’s all but assured to reach the open market. Duchene has earned the right to pick his next franchise. His destination will not be centered around money, his checkbook will be just fine regardless of where he signs, but it’s going to be more about personal fit.
2. Jacob Trouba, Right Defense, 25 years old, Winnipeg Jets
Pros
Jacob Trouba is everything Murray is looking for in a defenseman. He plays a physical brand of hockey, has a big shot and is a threat on the power play. When Dustin Byfuglien went down with an injury during the season, Trouba replaced him on Winnipeg’s top PP unit and he rose to the occasion with 18 points (3 goals and 15 assists).
Even when “Big Buff” returned from injuries, the coaches felt Trouba was producing too well to be replaced on the power play. JT8 was a player Anaheim Ducks fans thought the club was drafting when they reached for Hampus Lindholm with the 6th pick in the 2012 draft, which turned out just fine for both clubs. Being able to unit the 2 on the same blueline would be a treat and help stabilize the Ducks top 4 for the next 5 years.
Cons
The young blueliner has been very difficult to deal with when it pertains to a new contract. Trouba only has one year left on his contract and is expecting a raise that will likely have a higher cap hit than any defender on the Anaheim Ducks roster. While he’s good defensively, as evidenced by never being a negative player, he has average puck possession metrics (career average 50.1% Corsi) and lacks the overall consistency you’d expect from a player with his expected future cap hit.
Murray has been vocal about wanting leadership to emerge from his defense. Big Buff has maintained leadership on Winnipeg’s blueline, so it’s unknown if Trouba can fill that role.
Why He’s Available
As mentioned above, he is not a pleasure to negotiate with. His contract disputes with Winnipeg management have been highly publicized and he already stated there will be no, “Home town discount.” He has one year left on his contract and he’s slated for Free Agency, so the Jets are making him available to ensure they don’t lose him without a return.
There has been some recent speculation the Jets will potentially keep JT8 as their “own rental,” a la Columbus with Artemi Panarin (who isn’t on this list since Anaheim isn’t one of his preferred destinations.) If Murray pulls a trigger on Trouba, he knows the contract demands and an extension would be in short order.
1. Evgeni Malkin, Center, 32 years old, Pittsburgh Penguins
Pros
His list of accomplishments is staggering: Calder trophy (2006-07), Art Ross (2008-09, 2011-12), Conn Smythe (2008-09), Hart Memorial Trophy (2011-12), Ted Lindsay (2011-12), Stanley Cup Champion (2009, 2016, 2017), NHL All-Star (2008, 2009, 2012, 2016). In addition, he has the 8th most career goals among active players (391), and has the 6th most assist (611.)
To say he is a force is an understatement. Acquiring the veteran center would instantly make Anaheim legitimate contenders for the cup. His talent on the power play is something Anaheim has sorely missed and would instantly upgrade a unit that disappoints annually. The pros to signing Malkin could fill three articles, but the above is ample evidence of how much better the Anaheim Ducks will instantly become if they have the pieces Pittsburgh is looking for via trade.
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Cons
Not only does he possess a large cap hit ($9.5 mil), but he’s also 32 years old. Evgeni Malkin is still an elite player and superior to anyone currently on the Ducks roster (including Getzlaf), but adding aging players hasn’t been working out as expected for GMBM. Acquiring the pivot means Murray is gearing up for a serious cup run and; subsequently, it would require surrendering several promising prospects envisioned of keeping the cup window open post-Getzlaf.
While not necessarily a bad idea, acquiring Malkin would cost at least 2, but more likely 3 of: Troy Terry, Max Jones, Sam Steel, or Isaac Lundestrom. In addition, it would likely require adding one of our first round picks as well. The cost is a bitter pill Anaheim Ducks fans might be hesitant to swallow. It’s an interesting debate, but as with all the previous targets, it largely depends on how GMBM handles the contracts of Kesler and Eaves.
Why He’s Available
Pittsburgh has spent nearly every available asset en route to winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. With the prospect pipeline barren and limited salary cap room, the Penguins will be looking to add several NHL ready prospects in an effort to maintain competitiveness while Sidney Crosby remains one of, if not the leagues best player.
Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford has a busy off-season ahead and there has been mounting speculation the club’s roster will look vastly different for the next campaign. Elliot Friedman mentioned on his 31 Thoughts Podcast that the Malkin speculation is real and it will not be a surprise if/when he’s traded. As with any other team in the NHL, he would be an amazing fit in Anaheim.
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Do you think the Anaheim Ducks should target any of the 5 players on this list? Are there any other players on trade block you think the Anaheim Ducks should target? Let us know by leaving a comment for us down below.