Anaheim Ducks NHL Trade Deadline Outlook
By Ryan Ritchie
Anaheim Ducks NHL Trade Deadline: Buyers or Sellers?
After the first month of NHL action in 2015-16, the Anaheim Ducks were 1-7-2 with 4 points, sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference.
By doing the math in a piece named “Anaheim Ducks Fans Have Good Reason to Panic“, we were able to project that Anaheim could give up no more than 50 of the remaining 144 points available after 10 games to have a shot at the playoffs.
Surprisingly, they’ve gone 25-12-5 since, collecting 55 points. They currently sit 3rd in the Pacific Division with a total of 59 points.
Anaheim’s goal-scoring struggles has been a problem since day one. For a while, the Ducks were hovering in the 0.8 goals per game range before starting to score enough to squeeze out wins. They’re still in 30th with a league worst 119 goals for (2.29 gfpg).
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A lot of smart people in the hockey world picked Anaheim as Stanley Cup favorites heading into the season. The only bright spot is the Ducks goaltending situation. John Gibson made the most of his opportunity and stole the starter role from Frederik Andersen. Andersen has played well in 2015-16, but his team goal-support is embarrassing. Rumors suggest he could be traded.
On paper, next to Nashville, Anaheim should have one of the most productive defense cores with a group of highly offensive blueliners. Overall, the group as a whole isn’t creating enough from the back-end.
Up front, the top six is disappointing thus far. Everything starts on that top line with one of the NHL’s top duo’s in Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. It was an extremely slow-start for both on the scoresheet. Perry is since producing closer to his career average pace, while Getzlaf is struggling to find the back of the net. A guy known for scoring in the 20-goal range, having topped 30 once – his 5 goals in 2015-16 will be lucky to match his single-season low of 11 in 2011-12.
Anaheim Ducks NHL Trade Deadline: Two Options
Anaheim Ducks NHL Trade Deadline plans are still unknown, but at this point GM Bob Murray has two realistic options:
1. Sellers: Move a Defenseman, option to move Frederik Andersen
At some point, Anaheim will need to move one of their stud offensive blueliners. There’s no immediate rush if the Ducks think they can still do some damage down the stretch – but with Shea Theodore knocking at the door, Anaheim management will begin to feel more pressure.
Logic dictates that Sami Vatanen makes the most sense if you had to move one, given Cam Fowler‘s emergence in 2015-16. Anaheim isn’t likely to get fair market value in return for Vatanen based on his play this year.
Why not sell high on Cam Fowler? His development in 2015-16 is encouraging for a guy we perceived as pure offensive talent from the back-end. There’s no guarantees he doesn’t revert to the Cam Fowler of old. Point being, to properly address the holes up front, the Ducks might be forced to sacrifice Fowler opposed to Vatanen, based on his peaking trade value.
2. Buyers: Keep Defense – Trade Frederik Andersen Plus Prospects/Draft Picks to Address Scoring
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John Gibson shows no signs of slowing. It seems he’s grabbed hold of that starter role, and there’s no reason to believe he can’t be a top 10 – possibly top five goalie in the NHL moving forward. This makes 26-year-old Frederik Andersen an unnecessary luxury. Anaheim could easily roll with one of Anton Khudobin or Dustin Tokarski in the backup role for the remainder of 2015-16.
By packaging Frederik Andersen with other pieces (young players, prospects, draft picks), Anaheim Ducks NHL Trade Deadline options quickly become abundant. There are a couple of teams in particular that could use a young starting goaltender, that also have offensive weapons in their arsenal. Let’s take a look at those options:
Arizona Coyotes
It seems the Mike Smith era is likely done in Arizona. His early days in the desert were promising, but he’s trailed off over the past couple season. Rookie goalie Louis Domingue has played well in Smith’s absence, but it’s not worth getting excited over – even with his rookie of the month honors. We’ve seen goalies such as Ben Scrivens, Mike Condon, James Reimer and Dustin Tokarski play extremely well for stretches of time – Domingue is no different from these guys. While Coyotes managements holds out hope in their young rookie, they should be targeting one of the many talented top-end goaltending prospects that are available.
Who Should Anaheim Target?
LW Mikkel Boedker – He’s a UFA in the summer, but intentions upon acquiring a player of this caliber is to sign them before July 1st. He’s not a prototypical first liner, but he’d certainly be the best option alongside Getzlaf and Perry.
C Martin Hanzal – There are health concerns here early in his NHL career. No questions his talent level though. With Dylan Strome and Christian Dvorak as a potential 1-2 in the near future, the Coyotes have enough depth to sacrifice Hanzal – especially if it solidifies your goaltending for the next decade.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The goaltending situation in Toronto is fairly murky at this point. Jonathan Bernier has another year on his contract, and James Reimer is set to become a free agent. Rumors suggest Toronto wants to re-sign Reimer – but it can’t be the apparent Devan Dubnyk range money he thinks he deserves. Reimer is a great backup that can assume the starter role for stretches at a time – nothing more.
In the case of Jonathan Bernier, he may need another change of scenery. Couple the fact of playing in the center of the hockey universe, along with high expectations – it simply hasn’t worked out as a Maple Leaf. There’s still a minuscule chance he can be that starting goaltender for Toronto, but at this point, the best thing for his career is a fresh start somewhere else (where he has little or no expectations).
Next: NHL Trade Deadline: The Crowded Basement
Who Should Anaheim Target?
LW James van Riemsdyk – (Currently on the IR) If you look around the NHL, the left-wing is commonly one of thinner positions for overall talent. It’s not often that top six left winger’s that can score become available. It’s not to say Toronto is shopping JVR or looking to move him – at the same, no one on the roster is safe (aside from Morgan Reilly). There’s few better options than van Riemsdyk to fill the void on Anaheim’s top line.
W Leo Komarov – He’s having a career year in Toronto, sparking debate on whether to sell high while his value is peaked, or hold on to him. There’s strong arguments to be made for both sides – much of the outcome may hinge on what type of offers the Maple Leafs receive. He plays a very rare, desirable, gritty style of hockey. It’s all come together in 2015-16 as he continues to show his offensive abilities (and his usual leading the team in hits).