The 2026 NHL entry draft commences on Friday night in Buffalo. As of right now though, the Anaheim Ducks will be watching from the sidelines without a first round pick, for the first time in nine years. However, with all the fireworks from the frenetic trade market, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek still has ample time to get the Ducks back into the opening round. Until then or even if such a trade transpires, Ducks fans are left to ponder if not having a first round pick this year was worth it.
Worth it
When Verbeek made the trade for John Carlson from the Washington Capitals, the Ducks were in need of another right-handed defenseman. Ian Moore should have been the simpler in-house option to play on the blue line, but the Ducks coaching staff was fixated on shoehorning the young defenseman into the forward group. So, in came Carlson and his 46 points (10 goals, 36 assists) from the Capitals. Carlson registered 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) in 16 regular season games with the Ducks and at least helped stabilize the blue line as a second pair option, while Radko Gudas was sidelined with injuries and a suspension.
🦆 John Carlson scores his first goal for the Ducks. He now has a goal and 8 assists in 8 games since the trade from Washington. #FlyTogether #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Aq7EwWfnqF
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) March 31, 2026
What was even more telling though, was Verbeek's willingness to surrender a first round pick on a player who eventually became just a rental. After spending years accumulating draft picks for prospects. the Ducks were finally able to leverage an asset for immediate help. While the Ducks eventually lost to the Stanley Cup runners-up in the Vegas Golden Knights, seeing the organization make a move for a playoff push was a welcome change of pace.
Not worth it
Carlson's postseason play left a lot to be desired, as the veteran only notched 6 assists in 12 playoff games for the Ducks; not exactly the kind of offensive production Verbeek or the team was hoping for. Combined with the fact that Carlson has since opted not to resign in Anaheim, the gamble on the trade did not pay off as anticipated.
The Capitals have been projected to draft left wing Adam Novotny, per the latest mock from The Athletic. While not exactly a game-breaking talent, the Ducks could have used another young forward prospect in the pipeline, as Beckett Sennecke has been the only home-grown winger of note to break through with the big club recently. The Ducks have been very adept at drafting and developing defenseman and goalies, but finding adequate goal scorers has been an organizational eyesore. And with the Capitals dealing their own first round pick to the St. Louis Blues in the Jordan Kyrou trade, the 18th pick acquired the from the Ducks has even more value to Washington now.
Final thoughts
Verbeek gambled on the future to help the Ducks in the immediate and ultimately lost. While his decision was a signal to the fanbase on his belief in the team, Verbeek should have used his assets on a more substantial move or just held onto the pick. If the Ducks want to get back into the first round, Verbeek will have to make another trade and while the team has plenty of candidates to chose from, the market is moving faster than anticpated.
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