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Anaheim Ducks Facing Conundrum With Lindholm, Inevitable Trade

By Ryan Ritchie

Feb 8, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 19, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) skates behind the net against the Nashville Predators right winger James Neal (18) during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) skates behind the net against the Nashville Predators right winger James Neal (18) during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Cap Space Needed

To play it safe, let’s assume the Anaheim Ducks sign Hampus Lindholm for $5 million dollars/year. With only $1,318,000 dollars in cap space, ANA would need to clear $3,682,000 dollars to make room for Lindholm.

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This could be easily accomplished by simply shedding Cam Fowler‘s $4 million dollar cap hit (which would leave them with $318,000 dollars – no room for an incoming player).

After all, top left-handed defensive prospect Shea Theodore was forced to begin the year with AHL San Diego because there’s no room in the top four. Fowler is the man occupying the spot Theodore is eyeing.

As we know, though, GM Bob Murray is not interested in simply subtracting or moving in a sideways direction. He believes the Ducks are ready to compete for a Stanley Cup, and at least wants an impact player in return.

This is where things get interesting. There are only so many bodies that can be moved out to clear cap space, and Anaheim will likely need to include draft picks/prospects in a bigger package to get what they want.

Contracts to Shed

In a perfect world, D Kevin Bieksa would waive his no-movement clause paving the way for a trade so Anaheim isn’t forced to use a protection slot on him next June. Even if they could get him to waive it, how many teams are lining up to absorb the $4 million dollar cap hit. Heck, he’s barely worth it even if the Ducks were willing to retain salary. It wouldn’t be surprising if the only way to shed Bieksa’s contract is a full 50 percent retention for those final two years. Although, $4 million dollars in dead money over the next two seasons isn’t ideal for Anaheim.

So, what is GM Bob Murray left to work with beyond Cam Fowler? He only has three moveable contracts up front to shed salary. Recently signed Rickard Rakell carries a $3.8 million dollar cap hit; two-way stud Jakob Silfverberg has a $3.75 million dollar cap hit; Nate Thompson owns a $1.7 million dollar cap hit.

The only other players that could make cap space are Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Ryan Kesler, and Andrew Cogliano – but it would be very surprising to see any one of those four traded.

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