Anaheim Ducks: 2021 Outrageous Trade Deadline Extravaganza

Oh Kaapo, My Kaapo!

There would be very few people who have read any of my writing over the past few years who don’t know of my love for Kaapo Kakko and that, despite writing for a Ducks blog, am a proud shirt-wearing, sticker-plastering member of the “Church of Kakko.” Luckily GMs always get to trade for players they wish they drafted but didn’t.

I’m going to try to pry him out of the hands of the Rangers, by leveraging his rookie season— one of the statistically worst years in NHL history— alongside the big D energy that the Anaheim Ducks can provide. Initially, I would have loved to move Lindholm in this deal, however, with his significant injury, Josh Manson becomes the Ducks who shifts to the New York team.

To make the money work a little more smoothly, the Ducks will be retaining half of Manson’s salary as well as taking back Jack Johnson for the remainder of this season. Essentially, this gives the Rangers a significant upgrade on the blue line for a playoff push this season. Perhaps more importantly, it adds to next season, which is likely to be a much better season as their younger players progress.

Of course, that won’t be enough to push this acquisition over the line. Thus the Ducks will be adding former 1st round draft selection, Brayden Tracey, the aforementioned Buffalo 1st rounder (2021), and the Ducks own 2nd rounder (2021).

It’s a bit to ask for both parties, but given Kaapo’s struggles last season and subsequent turnaround into a solid role player, there is some hope he’ll continue to grow. On the flip side, Tracey also looks to be struggling in his development and the 2021 draft is a little bit of a lottery with many young players not participating in a lot of hockey this season. Given the previous trades made above, the Ducks have a surplus of picks going forward, thus are in a position to attempt to roll the dice here.

It may be an overpayment or it may be a steal. Sometimes you need to risk it, and with the assets gained above, the Ducks should be able to take some risks with their younger players and draft selections this coming draft.