The New Jersey Devils have addressed a huge blueline need, acquiring Sami Vatanen from the Anaheim Ducks for Adam Henrique.
So far during his tenure as the New Jersey Devils general manager, Ray Shero has been bold in trades. He has made many trades since taking over in the 2015 offseason. Shero has utilized them to build up his roster into a contender. His latest move, one with the Anaheim Ducks, might be the one that makes them a playoff team.
The Devils have acquired defenseman Sami Vatanen, along with a conditional third-round draft pick, in exchange for center Adam Henrique, forward Joseph Blandisi, and a 2018 third-round pick. Here are the fun conditions for that pick.
"If Anaheim signs Henrique to a new Standard Player Contract for 2019-20 prior to their own third-round pick of the 2019 Draft, Anaheim will transfer their own third-round pick in the 2019 Draft to New Jersey.If Anaheim signs Henrique to a new Standard Player Contract for 2019-20 after their own third-round pick of the 2019 Draft, Anaheim will transfer their own third-round pick in the 2020 Draft to New Jersey."
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For New Jersey, this solves an inevitable logjam. With the emergence of Nico Hischier and Pavel Zacha, along with their other young center prospects, Henrique became a surplus player. It’s worth noting Marcus Johansson and Travis Zajac can both play center as well.
Vatanen has just four points in his first 15 games but has a proven track record of being a productive defenseman. The Devils are banking on him returning to form so he can help their ailing defense. Entering Nov. 30, though New Jersey sits in the top three of the Metropolitan Division, they have allowed the third-most shots against in the NHL.
The Ducks finally get a center who can give them a ton of minutes. Without Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, and Rickard Rakell, Anaheim has been desperate for help. The conditional draft pick in the deal depends on if the Ducks sign Henrique to an extension. He has 14 points in 24 games this season. Over Henrique’s career, he has 257 points in 455 games.
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Blandisi gives the Ducks further forward depth. He has nine points in 27 games so far this season. In 68 career games, Blandisi has 26 points. This is a trade that makes a lot of sense for both clubs. Each team solves a need by dealing from a position of relative strength.