Deadline Buyer Madness

By Eddie Richard 

Another year and another deadline. This year’s deadline is Friday March 6th, 12PM (PST). This is the first one in a very long time where the Anaheim Ducks will actually be buyers. I would think of them as fringe buyers. They are not quite there yet to make a full Stanley Cup parade, so they cannot gamble away all their picks in hopes of a miracle. However, stranger things have happened. I am going to break down some of my personal picks I think the Ducks should make a run at based on who is available and a few outliers out there.

Last season the Ducks were fairly quiet. They did trade Brian Dumoulin to the New Jersey Devils. They also brought in Oliver Kylington over from the New York Islanders in exchange for future considerations.

Let’s get right into this deadline with the Pat Verbeek‘s favorite trade partners, The New York Rangers. They are in full sell mode on everyone not named Igor Shesterkin. The first player I think would be a good fit would be Vincent Trocheck. My hopes were shot down when rumors last week stated teams “far west” tried to acquire about him, but he stated he had no interest and wants to remain in the Eastern Conference. The two others on my list are William Cuylle and Braden Schneider, whom are both 24-years-old and both will be RFAs.

William Cuylle is a 6’3″ 212 lbs., left wing who has one year left after this season with a cap hit of $3.9 million. He has scored 28 points (13 goals and 15 assists) in 59 games. He has also registered 208 hits. He is also 53.6% in faceoffs, which is needed for the Ducks who are ranked 29th. I think he has the size, physical play and ceiling would make a lot of playoff teams interested, especially with another year left on his contract to fit the mold of team. The Ducks need more high-energy physical players who are not afraid to crash the net and create havoc for the opposing goalies. I think a lot of teams will make their bid on him and it will probably take a first and/or second round picks and a prospect on the Ducks behalf.

Braden Schneider is a 6’4″ 214 lbs., right-shot defensemen who is in the final year of a two-year, $2.2 million deal. He has 11 points and has registered 124 hits and 97 blocks. His size, physical play and not fully matured into his defensive potential makes him highly attractive to teams. He is a rough two-year defender that can throw the body around, clear out the traffic and can skate well. Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba being UFAs, the Ducks are going to need a younger physical defensive player. This is another player where a first round and a prospect. Early rumors this season that Pavel Mintyukov would be open for a change of scenery trade to get consistent playing time could maybe result in a one for one sway. I think the Rangers would need to add a little something to push this through.

St. Louis Blues

Next up is the St. Louis Blues who have also publicly stated they are in full sell mode for everyone. The first two players that interest me along with all the other team in the league are Robert Thomas, 26, center and Jordan Kyrou, 27, right wing, whom both will be UFAs. Both are in year three of their 8 year deals paying them $8.125 million. Another off the radar guy would be Jake Neighbours, 23, left/right wing. Neighbours, 6′ 0″ 201 lbs has 25 points (14goals and 11 assists) in 47 games. He has registered 115 hits and has another year left on a $3.75 million contract, which he will be an RFA. He is having a down year from his breakout 56 points last season, but the power forward can be rejuvenated a younger team and playoff runs in the future. I think a fair price would be Top draft picks and mid-prospects.

Robert Thomas has scored 35 points (12 goals and 12 assists) in 43 games. First non-physical player on the list, but he is 52.4% in the faceoff circle. He a fast two-way, playmaking center points producer and is a Stanley Cup champion. He has so much more to give and is a player that knows how to overcome adversity, as with all the Blues 2019 Cup team. I think this would be the 1-2 punch needed to compete for years to come. My only concerns are his lack of physical play and injuries this season. He is considered a hot commodity and he will be in a bidding war. A first, and a high tier prospect. Teams will throw in more or “overpay” as they say it. I would assume the Blues would ask for Robert McQueen.

The right-wing Jordan Kyrou has scored 33 points (14 goals and 19 assist) in 50 games this season. He is having a complete one 180 from the 70 points last season. He has scored 13 points in 28 playoff games, but was not part of that Cup team. He can slot into the top six and provide more speed and offensive spark to the Ducks. He has turned things around since January, but will still have a high ceiling and bidders.

San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks recently acquired the hard hitting Kiefer Sherwood, who was an undrafted player that the Ducks signed. A littler smaller listed at 6’0″ 194lbs., plays way bigger than his size. He brings the energy night after night and steals time and space from opponents with his 233 hits. He can provide some goals with scoring 17 this season almost tying his career high with 19. The Sharks have stated he is being shopped unless a deal can be reached. I think he would fit perfectly in a bottom six role and can provide some energy at the top six when needed. I purely want him as a rental and would not want to Ducks to re-sign him. I think something similar the Sharks gave up in a couple of second round picks with some conditions.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs left/right winger Bobby McMann is another player I can see fitting nicely in a bottom six role. The 29-year-old, 6’2 209lbs., has 32 points (19 goals and 13 assists) in 59 games. He also registered133 hits and is 60% in faceoffs. His speed and forecheck can help him create chances and can produce points. I think a few teams would be calling about him, but I feel the Leafs are still hopeful on a playoff push and would like to retain him. Never hurts to make a call.

New York Islanders

Left wing Anders Lee, 35, of the New York Islanders would be a nice veteran presence who can provide leadership, grit and another player who will get in those dirty aeras. Listed at 6’3″ 236 lbs., he can throw his body around and block out the sun on opposing goalies. He has scored 34 points (14 goals and 20 assists) in 61 games and is also over 50% in the faceoff circle. This would be another pure rental and do not think it would cost too much. I am assuming a couple of conditional draft picks and a prospect.

Winnipeg Jets

Out of the hockey rink addition would be Winnipeg Jets center, Jonathan Toews. He took a few seasons for health reasons and decided he wanted to come back and finish on his own terms. He has 19 points in 59 games and is over 60% in the faceoff circle. He brings leadership and his Stanley Cup experiences. He can win those crucial faceoffs when they matter the most and would get a spark playing with coach Q again. Highly unlikely and maybe will not break the bank on the drafts picks given up. Maybe start with a third round pick and go from there.

Pittsburgh Penguins

I feel the Ducks will need a capable and more consistent backup goalie. I heard Stuart Skinner‘s name being throwing out there. He was recently acquired from the Pittsburg Penguins from the Edmonton Oilers. He is in the final year of a three year deal and is set to be a UFA. He has played 14 games with the Pens this season going 8-4-2, with a 2.66 GAA and .890 save percentage. The Pens are still in a playoff spot, but losing Sidney Crosby might drown out their hopes. Skinner had a nice 5 game winning streak, but has cooled off and has been outplayed by Arturs Silovs. I think he would be an improvement from Ville Husso and has had flashes of good goaltending. This should be another cheaper option for the Ducks.

Other notable players I would poke around on are goaltender Alex Lyon of the Buffalo Sabres and Ryan Lomberg a.k.a the water bug. I will not go into too much detail, but Lyon is a cheap option with another year left. He had played well for the Sabres and can step into a starting role if needed. Lomberg provided a spark for the Florida Panthers during their Cup run and was a pest to play against.

I think you see a trend of size, grit and faceoffs that I would like to see added and can improve this Ducks teams. This year should be a lot more interesting since the Ducks will be in the mix to be named prom king. Let us know your thoughts and what other player you have in mind that you can see helping the Ducks.

Note* This was written on March 2, 2026, prior to the games played so the stats may have slightly changed.

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March 3rd, 2026