Anaheim Ducks: Grading Verbeeks First Trade-Deadline

Ben Thomasian

Grade: B-

I’m probably a little harsher on the trade deadline than most, as I see the work that has been done as incomplete.

First, the Ducks moved their pending UFA’s and not much else. That’s far better than losing them for nothing, but it’s hardly revolutionary. Second, and most important to me, they also didn’t gain any particularly impressive “individual” pieces back in trade. The Ducks picked up a metric ton of draft capital, but most of it is in the tail end of the 2nd round. The likelihood of a player selected in these draft spots being a difference maker is relatively slim. The chances of them contributing at all in the next 3-4 seasons is even slimer – consider that the Ducks 2nd round selection in 2017, Antoine Morand, has yet to play an NHL game and their 2018 2nd round selection, Benoit-Oliver Groulx, has played only 18.

Why does this matter? The Ducks (presumably) have the player they’re going to build the franchise around, already on the roster. Trevor Zegras recently turned 21, and (again, presumably) has six-to-seven seasons before his play starts to decline based on aging curves, and assuming he remains healthy for the duration. I would have liked to see the Ducks collect some pieces that can contribute in a two-to-four season window, rather than a four-to-six season window that a second rounder might have.

Drew Helleson is a decent piece with this in mind, and he plays a role that the Ducks don’t have a lot of within the current prospect system. The Manson trade was a huge win to me and I would have liked to see more of these types of prospects acquired instead of the smorgasbord of draft selections and “warm bodies” picked up in the other trades. Unless the Ducks can trade these draft picks for prospects in the 19-to-21-year-old age bracket, I think what they’ve done thus far will only push back the timeframe that they will compete in and shorten the duration of the window that they will have to work with.

Taking all the trades together as a whole, I think they did a good job of acquiring assets and beginning a rebuild from scratch. However, I don’t believe they made large strides towards becoming a Stanley Cup contender with their current returns. They did good work, but ultimately left me wanting for more. If they turn these picks into a young goal scorer via trade, this deadline will be a rousing success. If they rock up to the draft and make the picks they now have in hand, I think it will be an opportunity lost.