Anaheim Ducks: Weaponizing Cap Space in 30 Potential Trades
The Anaheim Ducks have made it known that they’ll take on bad contracts for young prospects or future assets. What potential trades could they make with the other 30 NHL teams?
The Anaheim Ducks have, as we all know, been wallowing at the bottom end of the standings for much of this season. Since their hot October, they’ve only been able to win 5 times in regulation since November 1st ticked over. Many of their underlaying statistics have also been trending downwards over this period of time.
Over the past week, we’ve seen both General Manager Bob Murray and Head Coach Dallas Eakins throw the players under the bus. Bob Murray, in his usual manner, gave a fairly stock standard comment as if he was an objective third party with nothing to do with how the roster is performing. Eakins, on the other hand, suggested that players were not engaged in the game:
“We just went out there and took up time on our shifts and that was the end of it. We woke up a little bit in the third. We can’t do that. We’re just not good enough yet to go out there and have one-off shifts. We have to be competitive — compete, compete, compete, every single shift, to a man.” -Dallas Eakins, Head Coach of the Anaheim Ducks
While that may be a slight deflection and distraction technique employed in an attempt to keep the wolves from coming to the door of the man most likely responsible for the teams’ emotional state, it does resonate somewhat with commentary Murray made last season regarding the state of the team. Let’s not forget that Murray wanted to get behind the bench last season so that he personally could see who should stay and who should go.
Granted, Dallas Eakins’ recent comments regarding the St Louis Blues digging themselves a hole and then going on to win a cup do show a profound lack of awareness, given the Blues had Vladimir Tarasenko and friends already on the roster. The comments essentially suggest that the team believes it can turn it around with what they currently have on the ice. However, as a coach ranking 231st for points per game percentage amongst the 264 coaches in NHL history, who have coached for at least 82 games, we can probably safely ignore much of what he has to say on the topic. Given that Murray recently made some comments regarding his hopes that Sutter would become more active behind the bench, it may be apparent that Murray isn’t going to listen to him a great deal either.
Additionally, we have the recent Friedman commentary regarding the Anaheim Ducks taking on salary for prospects. Specifically, he says:
“And finally Anaheim. The Ducks have let it be known that they have cash and cap space, they are willing to listen to you if you want to use them to help you clean up your cap problem, however, it’s going to cost you good young assets.”
Taking the Murray and Friedman quotes together almost sets the scene for what is essentially the first signs that the organization recognizes a rebuild might be in order. After all, last season the accumulated movements didn’t amount to much. Corey Perry was bought out and Marcus Pettersson was traded for Daniel Sprong. There were a couple of very minor moves outside of that, but none that really truly made a difference to the team. Jakob Silfverberg was extended until well into his 30’s. Michael Del Zotto was reacquired. However, at its heart, this is the same team it’s been for a great many years. It simply feels like change is on the horizon.
The Anaheim Ducks Cap Situation
The Anaheim Ducks cap situation is somewhat flexible this season. Currently, they sit with a little wiggle room below the cap, projecting a $2.1 million in cap space. However, this ignores the ability to place Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves onto Long Term Injured Reserve. Doing this would allow them a $10.1 million-dollar buffer for the season. Plenty of room to take on a large contract.
This excess in cap space, however, somewhat disappears next season. Firstly and foremost, Corey Perry’s buyout recapture jumps from $2.65 million this season to $6.6 million next season. It will then drop in the following 2 seasons, but the Ducks need to be wary about who they make take on. Ryan Kesler, as well, cannot be counted next season. While he will likely never play again, his cap hold will be counted against the cap, as it is not automatically deducted when a player is placed upon LTIR. That is to say, on day 1 of the season, the Ducks will need to be cap compliant inclusive of Kesler’s contract.
The Ducks contract situation will also need to be resolved over the offseason unless they can acquire useful assets in trade now. Next season, they will have only 12 forwards, 4 defencemen, and 1 netminder, under contract. The restricted free agent list is unlikely to cause too many problems, as Devin Shore, Chase De Leo, Daniel Sprong, Jacob Larsson, and Troy Terry, are all unlikely to command large raises on their current contracts. If they are retained at all.
The unrestricted free agent list, too is unlikely to cause problems, however, who knows who will stay or who will go. Patrick Eaves is finished as a player so he will certainly come away. Nicolas Deslauriers could also walk if he’s given an offer elsewhere. Which leaves Korbinain Holzer, Michael Del Zotto, Derek Grant, and Ryan Miller. None of which are essential to the Anaheim Ducks fortunes, but all have been solid foot soldiers. They may need to be replaced and given the league minimum deals they’re currently on, may require raises.
Taken together, it doesn’t seem like an insurmountable task to organize the roster well enough to take on salary. This becomes far easier if the Anaheim Ducks do decide to go with a youth movement and play prospects and young players, instead of the pseudo-rebuild they attempted to do on the fly this current season. For interest’s sake, the Ducks forward group is presently the 3rd oldest in the NHL. Additionally, the Ducks have only played 11 skaters aged 24 and under since the season commenced.
This group of 11 does include Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase, who has been in the system for a few years already. Assuming the Anaheim Ducks were to take on prospects and young players instead of perhaps more highly prized draft picks, it would seem likely that they could flesh out a roster of youth and embark upon a rebuild with earnest.
Who should the Anaheim Ducks Target?
My personal preference is to target draft picks. While quality prospects are occasionally traded in a bid to offload unwanted contracts (see Teuvo Teravainen to Carolina), most often when prospects are moved it’s due to them no longer being desirable. Perhaps they’ve fallen away, or there are other issues with their development. A draft pick is a clean slate, and with the 2020, and 2022 drafts looking particularly strong, a club could position themselves very nicely moving into the future.
However, Friedman’s quotes specifically mention young assets, which we can assume means prospects or young players. Collecting these types of assets and hoping they might catch fire or rebound does follow the ethos that Bob Murray has implemented in the past when he acquired players like Nick Bonino, Daniel Sprong, Mathieu Perreault, and so forth. It would also fit with the idea that this could be a quick rebuild, or rather a retool in today’s lexicon.
So who, or what might be options from each of the other NHL teams? It’s a bit of a tough call as not all will be viable trade partners, and in many cases what each team wants will not align. With that said the following is a list of each team and what could be potential ideas for a trade. In many cases, it seems very cut and dried, yet in others, the upgrade may be only incremental or require the Ducks to give up more than cap space.
Arizona Coyotes (1st Pacific, 25-18-5, 55 points)
The first team on the list and it has no cap space to work with. The Yotes would certainly like to load up a little moving into the future, and at least have an outside chance at extending Taylor Hall now that he’s a Desert Dog. While Derek Stepan may hold an “A” he isn’t a particularly effective player and could be moved if the price is right. The Anaheim Ducks can technically fit his $6.5 million dollar cap hit next season and they could find a roster spot for him if Derek Grant is let go over the offseason or at the trade deadline.
Coyotes get a young roster player, and the Ducks upgrade their prospect pool. Stepan can play a middle/bottom 6 role while their prospects develop.
Boston Bruins (1st Atlantic, 27-8-12, 66 points):
Boston currently has less than $1k in cap space, although this can shift out to $1.7 million with LTIR. Their most pressing need is likely to remove David Backes from their roster so that they may be able to spend money on a rental this season and extend Jake DeBrusk and company next season. In return, the Bruins aren’t likely to give up a young player the Anaheim Ducks want, and thus a draft pick may be the more likely option.
Boston dump cash while the Ducks get a late first-round pick.
Buffalo Sabres (5th Atlantic, 20-19-7, 47 points)
Realistically, the Sabres are an unlikely trade partner for the Anaheim Ducks. While this current season is a wash for the Sabres, they will want to maximize Jack Eichel in his prime and push for a playoff berth sooner than later. To do so they may decide to throw a bunch of money at unrestricted free agents like Taylor Hall. To do so they’ll want to clear Kyle Okposo’s cap from their roster. With 3 further seasons of $6 million dollars left on his ledger, it may take some convincing for the Ducks to take on this salary.
Buffalo picks up a great goaltending prospect and dump a long-term underperforming contract. Ducks get an absolutely fabulous prospect and a future pick.
Calgary Flames (2nd Pacific, 25-18-5, 55 points)
The obvious target on the Flames list is one that quite frankly terrifies me. Milan Lucic has to stand out as the face-punching forward that is no longer productive. With $5.2 million left on the books for each of the next 3 years, the Anaheim Ducks shouldn’t go near him. However, let’s say that they want to replace Nicolas Deslauriers with a name brand, what could they get for taking on that albatross?
The Flames dump an albatross and give up a good prospect and two picks to do it. Ducks get worse immediately but strengthen their future.
Carolina Hurricanes (4th Metropolitain, 27-17-2, 56 points)
Carolina doesn’t really have too many bad contracts, but they do need steady netminding. With this in mind, James Reimer heads back to Anaheim for a steadier netminder and a little bit of cap space to find a rental with.
Possible Trade
Carolina possibly shore up their netminding and add some cap space and the Anaheim Ducks pick up a minor pick for a guy who won’t stay around.
Chicago Blackhawks (7th Western, 20-20-6, 46 points)
The Blackhawks are terrible and have a bunch of free agents to sign next season with very little coming off the books. They won’t want to give up much, but they may not have a choice. The Anaheim Ducks could possibly (probably not) leverage their financial muscle here.
Massive ask for Chicago to give up the cat but moving Seabrook is probably worth it. They get a forward back who can contribute immediately. The Ducks get a young forward who is immediately their best player.
Colorado Avalanche (3rd Central, 25-15-5, 55 points)
The Avalanche have more cap space than they know what to do with. It’s unfair they’re this good. Since I’m committing to a trade per team, I guess they can let Ian Cole go. It would be boring if it was just a swap of 4th and 5th round picks, so…
The Ducks trade Fowler to kick off a rebuild. Cole is the worst contract the Av’s have that they are willing to give up.
Columbus Blue Jackets (6th Metropolitan, 22-16-8, 52 points)
Another team swimming in cap space.
Rules of the article, Columbus had to trade something.
Dallas Stars (2nd Central, 26-15-4, 56 points)
Despite being in the playoff hunt, the Stars have a number of underperforming players. Joe Pavelski may still be making things happen, but his production is simply not worth $7 million dollars. He could easily be replaced by the Stars going forward.
The Stars move 14 million dollars and add a minor role player. The Ducks add some potential.
Detroit Red Wings (8th Atlantic, 12-31-3, 27 points)
There is no world in which there is a deal to be made here, but let’s say there was, what would it look like?
Something had to be traded, and Murray does like old guys. The “young” part, is the pick.
Edmonton Oilers (5th Pacific, 24-18-5, 53 points)
The Oilers have a number of bad contracts on the books. While it would be easy to harp
on about James Neal’s $7.5 million, Mikko Koskinen’s $5.8 million might even be worse. The Oilers really need some playoff hockey, so what do they pay to get cap space and options?
The Oilers improve their netminding situation and the Anaheim Ducks get some young talent to make up for having a really expensive backup.
Florida Panthers (4th Atlantic, 24-16-5, 53 points)
The Panthers, for the most part, have reasonable contracts on the books, yet with Mike Hoffman and Evgenii Dadonov coming up for renewal next season, perhaps they’ll be looking to offload other contracts to keep these two in town. Assuming they want to keep them of course. What if they won’t cost surety? In this instance perhaps they do
Why not? The Anaheim Ducks flip Hoffman at the deadline for literally anything and have more cap space to weaponize. Afterall, Jakob Silfverberg wasn’t going to still be here when they were cup contenders again anyways.
Los Angeles Kings (7th Pacific, 18-25-4, 40 points)
Despite having a number of old players on long contracts, the LA Kings look ready to rebuild. They have a prospect pool growing in talent, and enough veterans to shelter them until they’re ready to take over. With that in mind, I doubt there is a trade available here, but just for fun (and to set both fanbases off.)
Everyone is unhappy, and I think that’s a beautiful thing.
Minnesota Wild (6th Central, 20-19-6, 46 points)
The Wild are full to the brim with big contracts, which for a struggling team that could be a death toll. However, old guys who work hard are Bob Murray’s bread and butter.
The Wild get younger and a scorer coach Bruce Boudreau knows, while the Anaheim Ducks pick up some pieces.
Montreal Canadiens (6th Atlantic, 20-20-7, 47 points)
The Canadiens don’t have a lot of longterm bad contracts, although Shea Weber certainly comes to mind. Still, no one likes paying a lot of money for a player to wallow in the minors.
Montreal removes some dead money and a potential logjam on their blue line. The Anaheim Ducks acquire a young player who played well in the NHL last season.
Nashville Predators (5th Central, 21-16-7, 49 points)
The underperforming Predators have recently let go of their coach, yet perhaps further shake-ups are necessary. Of their big-money contracts, Kyle Turris is perhaps the most disappointing.
The Predators get out from an underperforming long term contract, whereas the Anaheim Ducks get a smart young defenceman and a potential bounce-back candidate to fit into their middle 6.
New Jersey Devils (8th Metropolitan, 17-21-7, 41 points)
A once great-looking offseason turned to ash. With P.K. Subban not living up to his billing perhaps the Devil’s look to continue their shake-up
The Devils acquire the younger, cheaper and more defensively responsible Josh Manson as well as a young NHL ready player to fill in for Subban and Sami Vatanen, given the rumors he will be leaving town as well. The Anaheim Ducks pick up a future pick, but more importantly an entertainer to get fans interested in a team that is not going to be a contender for a few years more.
New York Islanders (3rd Metropolitan, 27-13-4, 58 points)
No one really likes burying money and the Islanders probably won’t like it either.
The Anaheim Ducks take on a bad contract but get some excitement coming back in exchange. Maybe Ho-Sang isn’t anything and maybe he is, but someone has to find out. It should be the Ducks.
New York Rangers (7th Metropolitan, 22-19-4, 48 points)
The Rangers are pretty well off so far as contracts go, and they have some space to play with. However, Marc Staal isn’t really doing anything for them.
The Rangers get rid of a problem (or two), while the Ducks take a chance on a reclamation project. Staal shores up their defense a little for one more season.
Ottawa Senators (7th Atlantic, 16-22-7, 39 points)
The Senators as we all know are notoriously tight-fisted, and Bobby Ryan cost them a bunch.
Bobby comes home and brings a smooth Finnish defenceman with him.
Philadelphia Flyers (5th Metropolitan, 24-16-6, 54 points)
Like many people, I don’t know why the Flyers do the things that they do, yet of all the underperforming contracts that might be worth moving Shayne Gostisbehere’s stands out.
The now underperforming ghost is traded along with a slow developing, but high potential forward. In return, the Flyers get another good looking defenceman and a lottery ticket.
Pittsburgh Penguins (2nd Metropolitan, 28-12-5, 61 points)
Bob Murray loves bad defencemen and the Penguins have Jack Johnson. Enough said I imagine?
This absolutely flies in the face of acquiring young players or picks for dead cap space, but… Bob Murray. I had to hold myself back from saying they’d give up Rickard Rakell and a 1st.
San Jose Sharks (6th Pacific Division, 21-22-4, 46 points)
Honestly, there is no trade here, but if there were it wouldn’t be for one of the good players. Thus as much as this pains me to write:
The Anaheim Ducks get Merkley who looks like a very capable prospect. The Sharks get the chance at paying for an NHL netminder.
St Louis Blues (1st Central, 30-10-7, 67 points)
Was Justin Faulk worth the multi-year $6.5 million dollar contract the Blues gave him? So far, you’d say no.
Murray finally gets his man. Sure he costs more now, but he gets him! Klim Kostin is another power forward the Ducks try to fit into a top 6 model, following the fading of Nick Ritchie and Max Jones under Coach Eakins. Ondrej Kase seems like he doesn’t fit in the current coaches system, thus, like the original rumor, he is moved on.
Tampa Bay Lightning (2nd Atlantic, 27-14-4, 58 points)
For the most part, the Lightning are a very well put together team and… no that’s all I have. They’re a really good team. However, Tyler Johnson is a little on the expensive side for just his 21 points.
Ducks get a 2nd line pivot and a pick, while the Lightning continue to pick up good young players. Groulx is having a great season and should slot into the Lightning in the future.
Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd Atlantic, 24-16-6, 54 points)
The Leafs are going to have some interesting hurdles to overcome in the next few years with all their big names on equally big contracts. Eventually, someone is going to have to go. Given Murray was batting off doing cartwheels over the chance to select Nylander in the draft, a package is built around him.
The Leafs get cap space and picks, while the Anaheim Ducks give up a bunch of youth for a really, really, good young player, who is instantly the Ducks best player.
Vancouver Canucks (3rd Pacific, 25-17-4, 54 points)
The Canucks are up against the cap and have a number of contracts that make you go hmm. In this case, they offload a smaller one.
The Canucks get some cap relief along with an NHL ready youngster. The Anaheim Ducks are sold on Woo’s name, and so am I. He might be good, might not, but with that name who cares? FYI, he’s good.
Vegas Golden Knights (4th Pacific, 24-18-6, 54 points)
So much talent, and so many contracts. The Knights are far enough against the cap that bringing in deadline talent will be tough. However, if they are free up the money currently being used for Ryan Reaves they might just have a chance.
Vegas free up some cap space and the Anaheim Ducks move up in the draft.
Washington Capitals (1st Metropolitan, 31-11-5, 67 points)
The Capitals will need to make some moves over the offseason, but it’s hard to know which direction they’ll go in. Nonetheless, it seems likely that Carl Hagelin will be a casualty.
Here, the Capitals get a little relief by trading away a veteran wing signed for a few more years and replace him with a shot happy, passing, winger. The American hero goes to the capital city. The Ducks, in exchange, get Hagelin to fill out their lines, as well as a high potential but oft-injured prospect.
Winnipeg Jets (4th Central, 24-18-4, 52 points)
The Jets have plenty of cap space, so there’s no trade here to speak of. All of their long-term contracts are really good players. But just for argument’s sake, let’s say they consider trading Mathieu Perreault.
The Jests only really need defense and Manson doesn’t seem to be fitting into Dallas Eakins’ new look no-defense defensive scheme. The Jets give up a contract and a pick for him.
All in all, I’m not sure there are actually any trades out there for the Ducks. But if they don’t mind hamstringing themselves for the near future, they should be able to pull a couple of things off.
dark. Next. Simulating the 2020 NHL Draft in January
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