Pucks of a Feather
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Anaheim Ducks: Where is the Franchise Headed after Big Moves

By Ben Thomasian

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 24: Hampus Lindholm #47 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Boston Bruins during the third period at the TD Garden on January 24, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Ducks won 5-3. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 24: Hampus Lindholm #47 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Boston Bruins during the third period at the TD Garden on January 24, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Ducks won 5-3. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 06: Anthony Stolarz #41 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates a win against the San Jose Sharks in overtime at Honda Center on March 06, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 06: Anthony Stolarz #41 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates a win against the San Jose Sharks in overtime at Honda Center on March 06, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

By now everyone in the Ducks fandom has heard of the Hampus Lindholm, Nicolas Deslauriers, and Josh Manson, trades. Added to that Kodie Curran if you will. I’m not here to discuss the value picked up in those trades. Everyone has an opinion I’m sure, and I don’t wish to influence that at all.

Overall, the Ducks, to date have acquired:

·       2022 1st round pick

·       2023 2nd round pick

·       2023 2nd round pick

·       2024 2nd round pick

·       2023 3rd round pick

·       Drew Helleson

·       Urho Vaakanainen

·       John Moore

In a bubble that’s a lot of things for three NHL players who the franchise seemingly couldn’t come to contractual agreements with, and one AHL player who was never likely to suit up for the Ducks. But what does that mean for the future? Where do the Ducks go now?

In the simplest terms, the Ducks have finally embarked upon a genuine rebuild. They’ve seemingly flirted with the idea over the past three seasons but have ultimately just stayed in the same position, collected their own draft picks, and have seemed to desire for any push up the standings to come from within. But now there can be no debate about how the Ducks management see this team. They’re rebuilding.

What that means in the short term is hardly arguable. The Ducks are worse today than they were yesterday. It’s impossible to trade two top-4 defensemen and walk away suggesting they’re a better team. Certainly, some would imagine that Manson has been terrible these past couple seasons, and Lindholm has fallen away this season. Those same people would also denigrate Deslauriers.

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