Pucks of a Feather
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Anaheim Ducks: It’s Time for the Franchise to Make a Hard Decision

By Ben Thomasian

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 03: Anaheim Ducks Head Coach Dallas Eakins behind his players on the bench during the first period of a game against the Arizona Coyotes played on October 3, 2019 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 03: Anaheim Ducks Head Coach Dallas Eakins behind his players on the bench during the first period of a game against the Arizona Coyotes played on October 3, 2019 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Anaheim Ducks
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 24: Daniel Sprong #11 of the Anaheim Ducks and Dalton Prout #5 of the San Jose Sharks chase after the puck during the first period in a preseason game at Honda Center on September 24, 2019, in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Is Daniel Sprong Dead Weight?

Daniel Sprong, while not one of the Ducks draftee’s, and not really part of the youth movement, is another who may be traded. Nay, more likely, Sprong is to be the first and perhaps only player named thus far, to be traded. A defensive liability, and a so-so scorer, Sprong doesn’t offer much to an NHL team as part of a rebuild or as part of a championship core.

Certain segments of the Ducks fan base are clamoring for him to be recalled from San Diego in a bid to spark the non-existent offense, yet the question has to be asked whether a disgruntled player, who is essentially a warm body in the AHL, would have a marked impact on the NHL club. For that is the crux of it. Sprong has not been good in the AHL. A league he should be dominating if he truly desired a call up with the Anaheim Ducks once again.

What the Ducks could get for such a player remains to be seen. A second-round pick, who was eventually acquired for the price of a player selected with a second-round pick. Has Sprong maintained his value? Can Bob Murray recoup as much as a second-round pick for him? I’d suggest that the outlook there is grim. When, not if Sprong is eventually moved, it will be for a 4th round pick at best. It was certainly worth a gamble to acquiring him initially, however, not all gambles pay off. Sprong, whether he stays or goes from here, is sunk costs. He won’t move the needle in the Ducks bid to acquire or produce a genuine goalscorer.

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