The Anaheim Ducks are in the midst of their worst stretch of the 2024-25 season and have all but seen yet another season circle the drain.
Ducks’ Zegras Out Six Weeks With Torn Meniscus
They have only won two of their last ten games and tallied six standings points in that time. They sit 30th in the NHL standings (29th if sorted by points percentage), have the 29th-ranked power play (15.9%), and the 26th-ranked penalty kill (73.1%).
The Ducks traded for defenseman Jacob Trouba on Friday, Dec. 6, and he’s played three games for the team on their current four-game road trip.
On Saturday, they traded veteran defenseman Cam Fowler to the St. Louis Blues.
Because of where they perpetually reside in the standings, the veterans on the team with contracts set to expire shortly and the disappointing point totals of young players on the roster, the Ducks are typically a staple in national trade speculation and discussion.
This week was no different from the national media, but some new tidbits surfaced from some of the larger outlets in the sport.
McTavish “Trade Buzz”
With the announcement that Trevor Zegras had undergone surgery to repair a torn meniscus and is set to miss the next six weeks, attention has shifted slightly to another young Ducks’ center with an underwhelming point total: Mason McTavish (21).
“Chris Kreider for Brad Marchand … who says no?”
That was one NHL executive’s take on the current trade market.
Here’s our updated Trade Bait Big Board on ESPN, from the potentially shocking moves to the sneaky great bargains. Enjoy!https://t.co/MfVOBNqC2c
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) December 12, 2024
McTavish’s name appeared in Greg Wyshynski’s “2024-25 NHL Trade Tiers Big Board” article on ESPN.com. His name was featured alongside fellow Ducks forward Frank Vatrano in the “Elite Pending Free Agent Tier.”
Wyshynski wrote that ESPN insider Kevin Weekes has “heard trade buzz” around McTavish. The report did not extend beyond that.
McTavish has 11 points (two goals) in 22 games this season and is in the final year of his entry-level contract, after which he will become an RFA. He will be eligible for UFA status in the summer of 2029.
Mason McTavish Must Step up in Trevor Zegras’ Absence
Author’s analysis: This feels like a situation not dissimilar to Zegras’ over the past year, where opposing general managers may have identified a “struggling young talent” in need of a “change of scenery,” called Ducks’ GM Pat Verbeek to ask what his availability may be in hopes they can acquire him at a discount, and Verbeek “hasn’t hung up.”
Ducks Exploring Trouba Extension
Just over a week ago, the Ducks acquired defenseman Jacob Trouba (30) from the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen (25) and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported in his Toronto Star column that it is “sounding unlikely that the Ducks will flip Jacob Trouba at the deadline after acquiring him from the Rangers.”
“Apparently, a lot of work went into convincing Trouba that he’ll be a big part of their rebuild and also provide wonderful opportunities for his wife in the medical field after completing her residency,” Kypreos continued. “Trouba isn’t officially eligible to re-sign a new contract until July 1, but the Ducks are already exploring it.”
Trouba has one year remaining after this one on his seven-year contract that carries an AAV of $8 million and a 15-team no-trade clause. He is scheduled to become a UFA upon expiry.
The On-Ice Impact of Jacob Trouba with the Ducks
Author’s analysis: It was clear from the acquisition cost and later statements from Verbeek that the Ducks see Trouba as a positive-value asset that can help the team now and in the future.
Trouba’s addition further contributed to the logjam on the blueline, leading to Saturday’s trade, concluding with sending veteran defenseman Cam Fowler to the St. Louis Blues.
Trouba’s play declined in the later years of his Rangers tenure, but he has shown a spark of being an effective player in his three games as a Duck thus far. Motivation and environment will be key to maximizing his impact, but these are aspects that may be hard to come by in Anaheim at the moment.
Gibson Remains Tied to the Hurricanes
John Gibson (31) has “been in trade rumors so long that the US presidency has changed multiple times,” as The Hockey News’ Derek Lee eloquently stated recently.
Gibson’s name appeared in Elliotte Friedman’s “32 Thoughts” article on Sportsnet.ca, reporting on the “on-off courtship between the Ducks and Hurricanes over Gibson for years.”
Friedman added, “I just think that Carolina kind of looks at it as ‘there aren’t a lot of teams looking for goalies right now. So, we can afford to be a little picky,'” on his “32 Thoughts: The Podcast.”
Pierre Lebrun stated on TSN.ca‘s “Insider Trading” that “The Hurricanes have talked to Anaheim about him, but the price is going to have to come down to trade for a goalie who has a couple more years left on his deal.”
Carolina currently sits in third place in the Metropolitan division with 37 points. Both netminders in their tandem, Pyotr Kochetkov and Spencer Martin, each have a sub-.900 SV% (.895 and .846, respectively). Kochetkov has saved .94 goals above expected, and Martin has saved -6.29 goals above expected.
In nine games this season, Gibson has a 4-4-1 record, a .903 SV%, and 3.18 goals saved above expected. His contract has one more year on it after this one and carries an AAV of $6.4 million and a 10-team NTC.
Report: Hurricanes Have Checked In on Gibson, but Price Needs to Be Lower
Author’s analysis: If neither the Canes nor the Ducks are in a rush to make a deal happen, they will likely remain at an impasse. With the Ducks still so far from the salary cap ceiling and Gibson playing well, they are unlikely to move Gibson for anything less than a deal that they feel greatly improves the team.
A shift in the landscape around the league or a slide in the standings due to poor play from their goaltenders could result in the Canes meeting the Ducks at their asking price, as I doubt the price will go down from a Ducks standpoint.
Breaking News: Ducks Trade Fowler, Draft Pick to Blues for Draft Pick, Prospect
