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Blow It Up Time?

Photo: NHL

By Richard Gonzalez

Happy Valentine’s Day! A lot of you might not want to hear some potential heart shattering news on a love day, but the NHL rumor mill takes no breaks for anyone.

Go figure, the Anaheim Ducks are on top of the mountain in today’s soap opera drama of trade rumors. It first started with Ryan Getzlaf yesterday and eventually ended up with John Gibson’s name being thrown into the mix today. I am also going to discuss an Adam Henrique trade rumor we discussed on the last show and some other names.

Before we get into why you really clicked on the article, let us discuss some two other names that have some trade interests. Elliotte Friedman mentioned the Ducks have checked in on Calgary Flames forward, Sam Bennett. The 24-year-old, fourth-overall pick in 2014, was believed to have requested a trade from the Flames due to wanting a larger role.

He was made a healthy scratch for one of the Flames games, which sent the rumors over the top. He drew back into the lineup where he ended up scoring a goal while on the top line. Maybe he will get some chemistry and get that larger role he wants with the Flames. He is in the final year of a two-year deal, $5.1 million deal. He is set to become a restricted free agent. The Ducks are still in search of a scoring winger, so Bennett is a name to keep an eye on.

 

Alex Galchenyuk was acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes from the Ottawa Senators. The Hurricanes then placed Galchenyuk on waivers today (02/14). Galchenyuk has really digressed since he left the Arizona Coyotes in 2018-19. Since then, he played with the Penguins, Minnesota Wild and Senators and has only scored 25 points since the 2019-20 season. The former 30 goal scorer signed a one-year deal worth $1.050 million in the off-season. He only has a goal in eight games this season.

 

Adam Henrique:

Henrique was benched for the second game against the St. Louis Blues and that started trade speculation regarding his future with the team. A source told DucksNPucks the New Jersey Devils have had some interest in bringing back their fan favorite player from the Ducks for draft picks and a prospect. The Devils have $6.7 million in cap space, so they would be able to take on Henrique and his $5.8 million cap hit. It is believed the Devils could offer picks and prospect(s).

The Ducks acquired Henrique back on Nov. 30, 2017: “Center Adam Henrique, forward Joseph Blandisi and a third-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft were acquired by the Anaheim Ducks in a trade with the New Jersey Devils on Thursday for defenseman Sami Vatanen and a conditional third-round draft pick,” via NHL.com.

Joseph Blandisi ended up being traded to the Penguins in exchange for Derek Grant. The third-round pick was used to select Blake McLaughlin. We discussed this on the latest podcast.

Ryan Getzlaf:

Oilers Nation (Oilersnation.com) posted an article by Zach Laing regarding more Getzlaf rumor’s surfacing. They referenced Jason Gregor and Frank Seravalli’s discussion on the Rundown podcast on a potential Getzlaf trade. The Getzlaf trade talk is from 7:35 mark to 9:55 mark.

 

Getzlaf is on the last year of his massive eight-year, $66 million deal. He does have an NMC, so the decision will be fully up to him if he wants to waive it to a chase his second Stanley Cup. We did discuss Getzlaf on the latest show too as his name keeps popping up in the rumor mills.

The Oilers could be one of the many potential suitors if the Ducks captain decides to move on from the Ducks to try to win another Cup and it seems like it would benefit the Oilers. “While odds on the Oilers winning the cup are currently floating around the +1600 to +3000 range depending on the book, a player like Getzlaf joining the team would beyond question push them in the right direction,” Laing said via the Oilers Nation article.

John Gibson:

Let us address the elephant on the rink now and probably the 100 percent reason you clicked the link to read in the first place: John Gibson. “…a trusted NHL source for ‘Off The Record’ hinted that Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson and his agent Kurt Overhardt were starting to send smoke signals that they were concerned about the Anaheim Ducks’ direction,” via ColHockeyNow by Jimmy Murphy.

The article goes on to state that NHL insiders are already discussing the Pittsburgh Penguins first big moves under new GM Ron Hextall and President of Hockey Operations, Brian Burke. Furthermore, the article connects Burke’s ties to the Ducks and Gibson’s being a Pittsburgh native.

The 27-year-old has spent his entire career with the Ducks organization since they drafted him in in the second round, 39th overall, in the 2011 draft. He recorded his first shutout and win in his debut game on April 7, 2014, against the Vancouver Canucks. Gibson would solidify his spot as the team’s future as the Ducks traded away Freddie Andersen and eventually signing Gibson to an eight-year deal. He is the only elite and superstar player the Ducks have on their roster and is considered a top candidate for the Vezina Trophy.

Analysis:

This is a lot of information to digest all at once, but it is something worth looking into.

The Bennett trade would possibly benefit the Ducks, but it is not a certain thing. To give up assets and take on his salary seems more of an unnecessary gamble for the Ducks at this point. Galchenyuk has a reasonable cap hit and would be a player the Ducks would get for free. He once had the scoring touch, but just has not found the right fit to light the fire under him.

Devan Dubnyk bounced around teams until he found his stride with the Wild. Same can be said about Anthony Duclair. All it takes is the right time and chemistry to ignite the flame in a player. I am almost certain Bob Murray is going to at least consider going for him. Do not be surprised if he is picked up by the Ducks by noon tomorrow (02/15). If it does not work out then back to waivers he goes.

As I have said numerous times, I do not think Getzlaf is not going anywhere. He has stated he wants to bring a Cup to the Ducks and prides himself on being on one team. He on his way to becoming the Ducks all-time points leader. He would be a huge asset to a contender, but it will be a shock if he even considers waiving his NMC. If he does want to move, I feel he has earned that right to do that and the Ducks should honor his request.

The Ducks need to figure out what direction they are going and need to form an identity to be able to move forward. If they feel like they more years away from being a legitimate contender, then maybe the best option would be trading the superstar goalie. He is arguably the best goalie in the NHL and would get a huge return to help expedite the Ducks “re-whatever you would like to call it.” If this rumor is true, you can expect a lot of calls to the Ducks. I just can not see the Ducks moving him at all. I think Murray would go before Gibson does. Hell, I think Wild Wing would be traded before they trade Gibson.

We will be discussing this on the next podcast. Please feel free to leave your comments or suggests some other players you see in the rumor mill that you would like us to discuss.

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February 14th, 2021

 

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