Anaheim Ducks: Trading Down from the 6th Overall Pick is a Viable Option

The Minnesota Wild

With the Wild, the Ducks would be taking a similar stance to the above New Jersey Devils idea, in that they would be swapping each of their first-round selections. However, each of the Wilds selections are after the Devils selections and the likelihood of the talent the Ducks would be looking to acquire still being on the board is less likely. Thus in this instance, instead of the Ducks giving up an additional selection as they would with the Devils, it is the Wild who need to add a sweetener to get the deal over the line.

I would suggest that the Ducks push to swap their 2020 2nd round pick, with the Wilds 2022 1st round pick. From the Wilds perspective, they are able to move into the top portion of the draft, while still being able to add talent in the back end of the first and early 2nd round. They don’t know what their 2022 draft looks like, but it is pretty far removed from today, and they can hope to add a selection in that draft further down the track.

The Ducks, on the other hand, will still be able to make a good selection at #11 and acquire a solid role player at #24 in this draft. The key to their trade, however, is the 2022 1st rounder, which is shaping up to be a strong draft even looking this far out.

At the very worst the Ducks would be moving up 6 draft selections from the early 2nd round to the very last selection in the 1st round, but I think we can all agree that the Wild won’t be winning the cup any time in the next 2 years with their aging group.

Conversely, there is a good chance the selection is quite high. Given the Ducks are only beginning their rebuild, adding future draft selections could be a strong move that could pay dividends down the line. A lot will hinge on who teams will draft leading up to the #11 selection this season and while a larger gamble than the Devils trade idea, the Ducks should still secure a strong player.