Would this make sense at all for the Ducks?
As the NHL Draft approaches this week, the Anaheim Ducks hold the second overall pick. They will have a chance to draft a franchise cornerstone with this pick and possibly change the outlook of the franchise in doing so. But just because they hold such a high pick, doesn't mean that the team may do their due diligence on what trading the pick could look like.
It's being reported that the Nashville Predators are looking to possibly jump up into the top four of the draft. Would Anaheim have any interest in trading the pick? That remains to be seen but the Predators seem eager.
"Well, me and [outgoing general manager David Poile] both have been working the phones trying to do that," Barry Trotz, who takes over as Predators GM on July 1, said Monday. "You have to have the right dance partner if you will. Obviously, everybody has been trying to get into that top four, and it's reasonable that all four of those teams will just stay put. It's a pretty good comfort level for them."
It would be highly unlikely that the Ducks made a trade involving their second overall pick. Anaheim understands the value of the pick and knows that they need to get one of the top prospects in this draft class after the poor season that they just experienced.
It can't hurt to speak with Nashville but ultimately, Pat V.erbeek shouldn't seriously consider moving the pick. It's too important to the future of this team and them getting back into relevancy around the NHL.