The NHL trade deadline is less than two days away and even though the Anaheim Ducks currently occupy a playoff position, twentyish games remain until the finish line. We've already looked at some realistic trade options for the Ducks, not once, but twice.
As the trade winds keep brewing and players continue to get shuffled around the league ahead of the deadline, what would a fantasy trade look like for the Ducks? Specifically, which disgruntled superstars could use a change of scenery and flock to the sunny skies of Anaheim instead and what would that kind of trade cost?
Fantasy trade number 1: the offensive defenseman
Adam Fox of the News York Rangers
The Rangers have had a mess of a season and Adam Fox does not sound committed about his future with the team. The former Norris Trophy winner may be having a down year with only 28 points (4 goals, 24 assists) but has been sidelined with injury problems for a majority of the season.
The Rangers need a center, so Mason McTavish would be the obvious candidate for a trade. While losing McTavish would sting, Roger McQueen is in the Ducks pipeline, provided he staves off another major injury and reaches his potential. The Rangers would probably want another defenseman in return and while Olen Zellweger is of a similar ilk, Pavel Mintyukov would be the easier defenseman to part with. The Ducks could tack on a second-round pick to help sweeten the deal.
Fantasy trade number 2: the franchise center
Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs
As the real-life mid-morning soap opera, the Maple Leafs are facing another heart-breaking season. Matthews has not sounded too pleased with the team, after winning gold at the Winter Olympics. Despite the flailing organization around him though, Matthews is the complete 200-foot center and has scored goals at a historic pace.
The cost of this trade would be extremely high for the Ducks, despite Matthews still having two years left on his contract at 13.25 million. Leo Carlsson and Olen Zellweger would probably be the barrier of entry, for a trade. The Ducks would also have to throw in multiple picks as well, and/or a number of prospects. But the addition of Matthews would elevate the Ducks above their Pacific Division competitors.
Fantasy trade number 3: the generational talent
Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers
Shifting to another dysfunctional organization on the other side of the continent, the Oilers may have made it to the final dance for two years in a row, but McDavid has been unable to win it all. His supporting cast has been lackluster (outside of Leon Draisaitl), the defense has been leaky, and the goaltending has been questionable, at best. With the organization unable or unwilling to make the necessary changes, and everyone blaming each other for their shortcomings, McDavid could take his generational talents to Anaheim.
The cost for a McDavid trade would be astronomical, anything that isn't nailed down would be traded, outside of Lukas Dostal because McDavid needs to feel what it's like to play in front of a competent goaltender. The next two seasons of 12.5 million would be a pittance compared to what would be shipped out in a trade. Gretzky forever changed the landscape of hockey in the American Southwest and McDavid would only add to that legacy, with a better likelihood of winning a Stanley Cup in the process.