6 Players the Anaheim Ducks Should Consider Trading
With the way the Anaheim Ducks season has played out thus far, it could be time to consider moving a big piece to prepare for the future.
Much like last season, it seems as though General Manager Bob Murray has had enough with his team’s lackluster performance. While the Anaheim Ducks haven’t gone on any wild losing streaks as they did under Randy Carlyle, the season record they have curated thus far is worse than it was this time last year; 19-18-9 compared to last seasons 17-24-5.
While this season compared to last season isn’t much different, it could prompt GMBM to make a bold move. Wasn’t it just this time last year that he traded Andrew Cogliano to the Dallas Stars for Devin Shore? The Cogliano trade wasn’t a move that considerably hurt or helped the Ducks, but it sent a clear message that it was time for everyone else to step up, lest they find themselves in a similar situation.
What is stopping GMBM from shaking things up again? His team is in a very similar, if not worse, situation than last season. Not only could a trade wake up the Anaheim Ducks, but it could help them procure future assets that would likely aid in speeding up the rebuild that looks to be on the horizon.
The Anaheim Ducks don’t have a lot of players on their current roster that would secure them a lofty reward. Nevertheless, despite the current state of affairs, there are a small handful of players that other General Managers might find intriguing. We’ll take a look at these six players and why it would be smart to move them now. Who knows if GMBM will actually do something between now and the February trade deadline. But, if you’re in the market for a new jersey, might I suggest you only buy a blank one?
Adam Henrique
Adam Henrique has fit in pretty well with the Anaheim Ducks since he was acquired during the 2017-18 season. He’s been a reliable second or third-line center, especially in the wake of Ryan Kesler‘s hip injury. Rico is a great contributor, scoring upwards of 40 points in any given season. It didn’t take him long to become a fan favorite in Anaheim and it was no surprise when Bob Murray extended him for 5-years during the 2018 offseason.
There are several reasons the Anaheim Ducks should keep Adam Henrique, especially where the younger players are concerned, but it is those very reasons Rico could be a prime trade candidate. First off, he is an incredibly versatile player. Not only can he slot in almost anywhere in the lineup, but he can also play both center and on the wing. Having a player who can assume any role in a forward core gives Rico quite a bit of value.
To add to that, it is very seldom that he finds himself injured. He hasn’t played less than 75 games since the 2112-13 season. Adding a player who is durable is something a lot of playoff contenders will be looking for, especially as we get closer to the trade deadline.
Henrique is also an incredible mentor, not just to the younger players, but to players who are of the same age and stage of their career as well. He leads by example, works hard, and plays with exuberance and integrity. He has great hockey sense, which makes him an excellent two-way forward.
The biggest issue in trading Henrique, however, is the fact that there aren’t many players currently on the Ducks roster who are ready to fill his role. Putting so much responsibility onto the younger players during a rebuild seems a little cruel. However, that doesn’t mean the Ducks can’t find another center who could potentially fill his role and walk away with a few pieces to help speed up the impending rebuild.
Jakob Silfverberg
Jakob Silfverberg was once thought to be a great defensive forward. However, a whole new world opened up for the Swedish winger when his offensive responsibilities were increased. He seemingly went from a key piece of the shutdown line to one of the Ducks top point producers, and we love to see it. His performance this season even earned him a spot at the 2020 NHL All-Star Game, and while he will not be attending due to the birth of his second child, he is still an All-Star in our book.
Nevertheless, despite our favorite “Lazy Boy’s” incredible increase in offensive production, there is still a rebuild brewing in Anaheim. Despite the new contract he just signed, that does not make him exempt from possible trade talks. In fact, last season, Silfverberg was on the top of a lot of fans trade lists because of what trading him could possibly bring to Anaheim.
More likely than not, Silf won’t have any hand in the Anaheim Ducks climb back to relevance. Granted, he could be a great offensive asset to the team over the next few seasons, but if a rebuild is truly what Bob Murray wants, keeping Silfverberg is a moot point. A common theme throughout this article will be selling high while you still can, and the same applies to Silf.
Murray might be able to get a nice return for the 29-year-old. JS33 is an incredible leader, both on and off the ice. He is a strong skater who has great vision and hockey IQ. If needed, he can contribute both offensively and defensively. He is a hard worker who plays with both integrity and intensity. Silf could be the perfect final piece to any Stanley Cup contender. In turn, he could warrant the Ducks a future asset or two.
Ondrej Kase
As much as it pains me to write, Ondrej Kase is possibly one of the easier contracts for the Anaheim Ducks to move; much like Brandon Montour. His AAV of $2.6M is a relatively cheap contract that wouldn’t break the bank for many teams. There were rumors that Murray was considering the possibility of trading the 24-year-old Czech winger earlier in the season, and if the opportunity arises again, there is little to no doubt that GMBM would move Kase for the right price.
His injury history is cause for concern, and likely a big reason Murray considered moving him for Justin Faulk. Concussions have plagued young Kase since he joined the San Diego Gulls during the 2015-16 season. He’s missed a considerable amount of time because of head injuries already, and should he sustain another concussion, that doesn’t just mean more time sidelined, but the possibility of permanent brain damage and early retirement. This could be a major turn off for many GM’s, but that doesn’t mean he’s unmovable.
Kase still has several other redeeming qualities that could make him a desirable acquisition. The Energizer Bunny has a spirited fire that cannot be tamed. His energy is infectious, vibrant, and transcendent. Positivity radiates from him. If Kase is ever criticized for anything, it will never be for lack of effort. He has also developed instant chemistry with almost all of his linemates, making him a versatile player up and down the lineup.
Despite the dumpster fire that is blazing ever so brightly in Anaheim, Kase is, more often than not, one of the Ducks better forwards out on the ice. The big disconnect, however, is in his inability to finish this season. Kase has gone from a 20 goal scorer to barely scoring 5 goals in 40 games. Even last season, he was on pace to have a 30 goal year had he remained healthy.
So, how does a player go from 20 goals to 5 in only 40 games? There is a possibility that Kase’s style of hockey doesn’t fit in with the system Dallas Eakins is implementing. The entire team has had issues finishing and getting pucks in the back of the net, not just Kase. A little more consistency on another team might get the ketchup flowing again for the Czech winger.
Would trading Kase get the Ducks another first-round pick as the Montour trade did? The reality of that happening is very slim. Nevertheless, if Bob Murray can snag a younger prospect or even a second or third-round draft pick, he’d be crazy not to ship Kase to whatever team is willing to trade for him.
Josh Manson
Josh Manson has received quite a bit of criticism from fans regarding his performance since returning from his knee injury, and rightfully so. However, to claim that he is a bad defenseman is not only incorrect and a tad ignorant, but it is also very harsh. In fact, at the end of the day, he is a great defenseman. The problem is, his style of defense does not fit well with the system Dallas Eakins is currently implementing.
There is a very good reason why a defenseman like Cam Fowler is succeeding this season whereas Josh Manson is not. It is one of those “it’s not you, it’s me” situations. The recently promoted alternate captain could be used as trade bait, however, if Bob Murray is serious about heading in the direction of a rebuild. Manson has a lot to offer, and he could be a great piece for a team looking to make a run in the playoffs this season.
Manson currently has two seasons left on his current contract after the 2019-20 season ends. His current AAV is $4.1M and he has a Modified No-Trade Clause attached to his contract. This allows Manson to submit a 12 team no-trade list before any trade is carried out. Nevertheless, this still gives Bob Murray plenty of teams to barter with and potentially find a good fit for the 28-year-old defenseman.
While there are some mistakes Manson has made this season that cannot be chalked up to Dallas Eakins’ system, Josh Manson is still a very good defenseman. His on ice-game may reflect more of a physical flare, but it is also within the veteran defenseman’s nature to play with humility. His positive attitude has instilled trust in his teammates, even earning him the role as one of the Ducks alternate captains this season.
Despite starting his hockey journey as a forward, Manson makes a name for himself as a defensively-minded defenseman. Despite his size, he is a smooth skater. He also isn’t afraid to use his size to shut down his opponents. While the entire team has struggled to connect passes at one point or another this season, for the most part, Manson is usually a solid passer. That, paired with his good instincts and excellent vision on the ice, would make him an excellent candidate for several playoff-ready teams.
However, what sets JM42 apart from many other players is his attitude. Not only is he positive, as previously mentioned, but he is the kind of player who never stops pushing himself to be better. He doesn’t let his mistakes define him, nor does he allow hot streaks to get to his head. His work ethic is incredible and quite honestly, admirable.
While parting with Josh Manson would be yet another difficult goodbye, trading him could offer the Anaheim Ducks a decent return. His style no longer fits the team’s plans going forward. Plus, at 28-years-old, there is a big possibility he won’t be around when the Ducks are, once again, ready for a deep playoff run. It would be better for Bob Murray to sell high while he can and allow Manson the possibility of winning a Cup elsewhere before he hangs up his skates.
Rickard Rakell
Rickard Rakell is going to be a tough sell. He’s a fan favorite and one of the Ducks leading point producers, and for that reason, I almost did not include him in this piece. However, Rakell is still young and could be a very enticing piece for a General Manager who’s team is sitting comfortably in a playoff spot. Trading Rakell would be more about obtaining future assets for a rebuild than anything. Again, sell high while you still have the opportunity. Besides, who said rebuilds were easy?
Rakell’s current contract expires in 2022 and at that time, he will be 28. While his current contract is team-friendly, there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to want to cash out with one final big contract. He may not ask for a Ryan Getzlaf or Corey Perry sized deal, but Bob Murray just signed Jakob Silfverberg and Adam Henrique to 5-year contracts north of $5M.
While Rakell will certainly have earned a Jakob Silfverberg or Adam Henrique sized contract, will the Ducks want to sign another veteran who is almost 30 to a contract with term? If Anaheim was in playoff talks, there is no doubt they should keep Rakell around for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, in a rebuild, no one is safe. Depending on Murray’s intentions going forward, he needs to ask himself if Rick Rak fits into his plans for the future.
Currently, Rakell is on pace to have a 55 point season. While that would not be his best season to date, it’s up there. If he were to play with a team that had more consistency, imagine what kind of numbers he could put up in the span of a season. Aside from being a very capable scorer, he has plenty of qualities that would make him a desirable asset.
He carries himself with confidence and has an incredible work ethic. His game is pretty well rounded, making him a reliable two-way forward. Rakell is creative and has tremendous offensive upside. He has proven that he can be a versatile asset to the lineup, creating almost instant chemistry with anyone he’s paired with.
It is unlikely that Bob Murray will trade Rakell, but it has been rumored that other teams have shown interest in the past. The Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames being the two teams that come to mind first; both playoff contenders as of the halfway point of the season. Should Murray trade Rick Rak, it’s going to be because he was offered a deal he just simply couldn’t pass up.
Cam Fowler
If I could make a list of players on the Anaheim Ducks I would consider untouchables, that list would consist of Ryan Getzlaf, John Gibson, and Cam Fowler. In a perfect world, we could keep all of our favorite players, but this is the NHL, and by now we should all know it can be a cruel business. And for that reason, Fowler is the final victim on our trade list.
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Several seasons ago, it was rumored that Cam Fowler was at the top of Bob Murray’s trade list. However, as we have often learned with Bob Murray, rumors are only rumors. Fowler has remained with the team and was also handed a brand new 8-year, $6.5M, contract extension that went into effect last season, essentially signing the rest of his NHL career over to the Anaheim Ducks.
It has long been thought that CF4 is the heir to Ryan Getzlaf’s captaincy. While I don’t want to sound like I’m beating a dead horse, we must, once again, ask the question: could Fowler be a key piece for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks? The answer is no. By the time the Ducks are likely to be contenders again, Fowler will be well past his prime and likely on the downward slide that eventually leads all players to retirement.
The odd thing is, Fowler is on the verge of having a breakout season at the age of 28. If he continues to play as he has been for the rest of the season, he is on pace to reach 43 points, eclipsing his 39 point career-high in 2016-17. Unlike Josh Manson, he has thrived under Dallas Eakins’ new system.
Due to his humble nature and positive outlook on almost everything, this has made Fowler one of the more respected players around the league. His speed and offensive prowess could potentially make him a hot commodity. While Bob Murray may not have been able to get anything worthwhile a few years ago, if you add the potential break out season he’s having now, it might serve Murray well to call up a few of his fellow GM friends to see if he can get a package deal that would be enticing to him and also be intriguing enough that Fowler would be willing to move.
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If you were General Manager Bob Murray, which player would you trade to get assets for the future? Come write about it at Pucks of a Feather by applying with the link above!