ANAHEIM, Calif. – Alex Killorn knows the power of the NHL trade deadline and its resounding effect. He has seen what an acquisition can do for a dressing room that has the postseason on its mind.
“We got swept by Columbus when we won the Presidents’ Trophy,” Killorn said, referring to his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning. “A lot of people were doubting our team and whether we had what it took to win. This was in 2019 and, at the deadline, our general manager traded four first-round picks or whatever it was for (Barclay) Goodrow and (Blake) Coleman.
“Honestly, it was like a shot of confidence into the group. Like everyone in the organization believes in us. We believed in ourselves, but to see it from another angle kind of just adds a little bit more confidence in the group, for sure. And we ended up winning that year. It was great.”
The four first-round picks is an exaggeration, because Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois traded one (and a prospect) for each player, but the point is sound. Teams that are in the hunt often look for that jolt a notable, proven addition can bring for a stretch run, or perhaps for potential playoff matchups. The player must make a difference on the ice. But that player can also energize everyone else in the locker room.
Will the Anaheim Ducks do that before Friday’s trade deadline? General manager Pat Verbeek is keeping things tight to the vest but the Ducks, after years of retrenching into a painful rebuild and totally reshaping the club, are now in a position to add talent at the deadline instead of selling.
The Ducks are still steps away from joining the NHL’s elite, as a 5-1 home loss to the league-leading Colorado Avalanche proved Tuesday night. But they’re in the thick of the Pacific Division race, entering Wednesday just one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights for first place. They’ve got work to do over the final 22 games to earn a playoff spot in a congested battle, but a ticket to the postseason would be their first in eight years.
“I think we’re really proud of where we are,” Mason McTavish said. “I think it’s taken a long time to get where we are. … We just got to keep it going. It’s an exciting time to be in this locker room for sure.”
But with the possibility of a first-round matchup against the Edmonton Oilers or Utah Mammoth or, if they fall into a West wild-card spot, the Vegas Golden Knights or even the Avalanche, should the Ducks look at augmenting their group? For starters, they could look at their defense.
Even with a 33-24-3 record heading into a home game against the New York Islanders on Wednesday, the Ducks are minus-11 in goal differential and are 31st in goals allowed per game (3.52). Other teams have been peppered with more shots on goal, but the Ducks still allow too many high-danger scoring chances. Per Natural Stat Trick, they’re third-most with 142 five-on-five goals against. Tie that in with a 23rd-ranked penalty kill and that’s not a recipe for playoff success.
The defensive issues aren’t just related to poor play by the blueliners and the team’s run-and-gun style under first-year coach Joel Quenneville, which often leads to chances being traded. Franchise goalie Lukas Dostal has covered up a lot of mistakes, but he can’t erase all of them. But the defense could be addressed. Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov are the mobile young puck-movers on the left side. Physical veterans Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas man the right side. The third-pairing right-shot option has been filled between Drew Helleson and Ian Moore, who has often played right wing up front.
Helleson, 24, has struggled to replicate his promising first season. Moore, 24, is a rookie with only 48 NHL games under his belt. The Ducks are believed to be among the many teams look to upgrade their blue line with a proven piece, particularly one with more size even though Moore, Trouba and Helleson each are listed at 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds. But the available supply is quickly diminishing.
Connor Murphy, Tyler Myers and Colton Parayko changed teams this week. Utah seems set to acquire Calgary’s MacKenzie Weegar. But the market isn’t completely dry. St. Louis, which is staring at a potential rebuild, could move Justin Faulk even after dealing Parayko. Philadelphia is taking calls on Rasmus Ristolainen. With an extra year on their contracts, Faulk and Ristolainen could be available for two playoff runs.
The Ducks are open to an older defenseman and wouldn’t mind a rental – they made a push for star forward Artemi Panarin but didn’t want to attach a contract extension. But the club prefers a blueliner in his 20s if he has term left on his contract. It also isn’t set on a right-handed shot. And the Ducks have the assets to make a deal.
Anaheim has a full allotment of first-round picks and second-round choices, including two extra to go with its own for 2027. Salary-cap space isn’t an issue, as it’s plentiful for this year and into the future. And it can’t be forgotten that Trouba and Gudas are on expiring contracts. It isn’t clear if they’re intent on re-signing either or both. Having an impact defender for now, and potentially beyond, is high on their list.
Verbeek has worked with Rangers GM Chris Drury and Flyers GM Danny Briere on multiple deals. Would the 6-foot-4 Ristolainen be a possibility, even though he’s 31? Or would the Rangers’ Braden Schneider, a 24-year-old pending restricted free agent, better fit in what they hope will be a lengthy contending window? Would they dare kick the tires on Adam Fox and see what it would take to land the former Norris Trophy winner?
The Ducks also have defense prospects Stian Solberg and Tristan Luneau. Helleson or Moore could be put into a package with pick or two. Mintyukov has played much better since he was scratched in November but could desire a bigger role elsewhere. Depending on the target, there are different levels to how much Verbeek can pay. The question is, will he pay now or save his assets for an arms race in the offseason?
The forward mix can’t be ignored. Frank Vatrano appears to be on the way back from shoulder surgery and can become an option. Mikael Granlund has battled injuries all season but is skating again. Troy Terry has missed games on two occasions. Another winger – possibly versatile penalty killer Ilya Mikheyev – could be on the shopping list if the Ducks continue to trot out a short-handed lineup. It appears they’re having difficulty moving the contract of Ryan Strome, who between illness and scratches hasn’t played since Jan. 26.
While Verbeek and his staff are in Anaheim working as the hours count down, Quenneville insisted that he keeps his “blinders” on as to player movement at deadline time. But you can expect him to be kept in the loop.
“When we’re looking at this time of the year, some guys get a little bit concerned about the situation, knowing that some names get brought up,” Quenneville said. “I think there’s different times in an organization, their path, where they’re at, at the deadline. This organization this year is in probably a better place than it’s been to think about what we’re going to do at the deadline. At the same time, (Verbeek) does a great job of looking at all the options and knowing that a lot of the pieces he put into place got us in a position where there’s some advantages to where we’re at right now to however we want to play the situation.
“We’ll see how it all goes, but as far as right now, I don’t know what’s going on exactly what Pat and the staff (will do). They have a lot of discussions, and he usually gives me a heads up on what’s coming or what’s going on. So, we’re well aware of what can transpire, could transpire. He’s been the architect for this situation where we’re in right now and put it in a really good spot.”
The Ducks are in position to do some deadline buying. And that’s been a long time coming.
“I will say, it’s always nice when a GM does that. It kind of shows confidence in the group,” said Killorn, who signed with Anaheim in 2023 after 11 years with the Lightning. “But at the same time, I think we’re pretty confident with the group we have in here.”