Anaheim Ducks: Grading Verbeeks First Trade-Deadline

Chris Bushell

Grade: B+

I originally had my grade at A- however that was before the Dadonov fiasco. Now truthfully this isn’t Verbeeks fault however cannot give him credit for a trade that didn’t happen. Dadonov would’ve been that best current roster player the Ducks received at the deadline and without him the grade needs to slide back some. With that said I think Verbeek did a great job finally steering into the rebuild. If we as Ducks fans want this to end and return to Cup contention you need to give in and make the hard decisions. For whatever the reason Murray refused to do that, and the Ducks are paying for it now. Verbeek made shrewd moves and not only brought in pieces that could help but also valuable trade chips.

Truthfully of the players Verbeek acquired I only see two being on the Ducks roster come October. Zach Aston Reese is a great defensive forward and has the ability to chip in offensively. I saw it posted on Twitter that Aston-Reese is truly the player that some sect of Ducks fans believes Derek Grant to be. ZAR is 10x the player Grant is, he is younger and is a great 4th line player. He will also be a pivotal penalty kill piece and allow more offensive players to not have to be overtaxed.

Also, I look for Drew Helleson to be a part of this team. Potentially not with the Ducks but at a minimum getting meaningful minutes in San Diego. Helleson had a great collegiate career at Boston College compiling 46 points in 82 games. He signed his ELC which will kick in next season but signed a ATO to be with the Gulls for the remainder of the season. Josh Manson who was traded for him is over 30 and would not be in position to meaningfully contribute when the Ducks are contenders in the near future. Getting a younger and arguably better version of him is a great add.

Though losing Rakell and Lindholm were tough pills to swallow they did bring back a whole swath of draft picks. At current count the Ducks have two 1st round picks and two 2nd round picks this year, a 1st round, three 2nd round, and two 3rd round picks in the 2023 draft. At Verbeeks press conference he stated he views some of those picks as “trade chips”. That may be what this trade deadline is remembered for, what picks does Verbeek package to bring in young, established talent to surround the new core of Trevor Zegras, Troy Terry, and Jamie Drysdale. If Verbeek does that this grade could jump to the A+ range come mid summer.

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