The Hockey News Anaheim Ducks Show (01-17-25) Monday, Feb. 3, marked the third anniversary of Pat Verbeek taking the reins and accepting the job as the Anaheim Ducks general manager. Pat Verbeek speaks from Ducks training camp [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/verbeek-speaks-from-ducks-training-camp-2024] He's been the Ducks' GM for three trade deadlines, drafts, and free-agency periods. He's in the midst of his third full NHL season. In June 2023, he hired Greg Cronin as head coach. He has seen 136 games of what his team looks like under Cronin with his methodology and approach. Over halfway through the 2024-25 season and at the NHL 4 Nations break, the Ducks have a 24-24-6 record. With hindsight, let's take a look back, reevaluate, and grade Verbeek's significant transactions from the past year, his third calendar year as GM of the Anaheim Ducks: MARCH 6, 2024-THE ANAHEIM DUCKS TRADE ADAM HENRIQUE (50% RETAINED), SAM CARRICK (50% RETAINED), AND A 2024 SEVENTH-ROUND PICK TO THE EDMONTON OILERS IN EXCHANGE FOR A 2024 FIRST-ROUND PICK AND A 2025 FIFTH-ROUND PICK Patrick: A Verbeek seems to do some of his best work around the deadline. Henrique was having a nice year (42 points in 60 games) when he was traded, but the salary ($5.825 million AAV) was going to be an issue, even with max retention. Tampa Bay was involved in lessening the cap hit further, and every party seemed to walk away happy. The Edmonton first was one of only three 2024 first-round picks moved around the trade deadline, a tidy bit of business from Verbeek for an expensive expiring deal. Derek: A It was a nice bit of business for Verbeek to procure a first-round pick from the combination of Henrique and Carrick at full retention, with a little help from the Lightning. JUNE 28, 2024-THE ANAHEIM DUCKS TRADE THE 31ST OVERALL PICK (BEN DANFORD) AND THE 58TH OVERALL PICK (LINUS ERIKSSON) IN THE 2024 DRAFT TO THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS IN EXCHANGE FOR THE 23RD OVERALL PICK (STIAN SOLBERG) Patrick: B The pick acquired from the Oilers was traded nearly four months later at the 2024 Draft, along with the final piece of the 2022 Hampus Lindholm deal to Boston to move up eight spots and select Norwegian defenseman Stian Solberg. Solberg fell a tad further than expected, causing Verbeek and Martin Madden to pounce. They view him as a highly competitive and physical yet skilled defenseman whose game can easily translate to the NHL. Derek: B The Ducks used the pick they had acquired from the Oilers mere months ago to trade up in the 2024 draft and select Norwegian defenseman Stian Solberg, a physical and smooth-skating defenseman who is currently playing in the SHL. JUNE 28-29, 2024-THE ANAHEIM DUCKS DRAFT BECKETT SENNECKE (3RD OVERALL), STIAN SOLBERG (23RD OVERALL), LUCAS PETTERSSON (35TH OVERALL), AND SIX MORE PLAYERS IN ROUNDS 3-7 AT THE 2024 NHL ENTRY DRAFT Patrick: B+ Grading a draft after just seven months is a near-impossible task. However, the approach to the 2024 draft was vastly different than the 2023 draft, especially after the Ducks' top pick. Sennecke at third overall, was a justifiable surprise and is having a great draft plus-one season, while Solberg's role continues to grow in the SHL. The separating factor in this draft for the Ducks is the high-upside swings in rounds 2-7, like Lucas Pettersson, Tarin Smith, and Austin Burnevik, who are all having great seasons and, if they hit, can play in roles at the top of the lineup in the NHL. In years past, Anaheim typically drafted more "high-floor/low-ceiling" type players with third-line/third-pair upside. Derek: B Many were surprised to see the Ducks select Sennecke with the third overall pick, including himself. But the sky is the limit for the lanky winger, who picked up right where he left off with a torrid scoring pace. A World Juniors snub from Team Canada proved to be a healthy motivator as he proceeded to put up points in bunches shortly after the tournament began. Solberg turned heads at both World Juniors and World Championships while representing Norway. His ability to play against men impressed several scouts and he rose up the rankings as the draft approached. To say that Ducks assistant general manager Martin Madden was ecstatic at the opportunity to select him would be an understatement. After a slow start while being yo-yo'd between the SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan, Pettersson has settled into a groove with Östersunds. He has 14 points in 12 games since 2025 began and is playing more than 20 minutes per game. There have been rumors that he could make the move to the OHL next season and play for the Saginaw Spirit, but the transition from playing against men versus teenagers might not make sense given his current situation. The rest of the Ducks' 2024 draft class has fared well in 2024-25 for the most part. Maxim Massé has cooled down a bit but was on a scoring tear in between an ankle injury that kept him out for several weeks. Ethan Procyszyn was named captain of the North Bay Battalion and continues to score goals. Tarin Smith is also providing offense from the blue line and Austin Burnevik was named to Team USA's World Juniors roster. JUNE 30-JULY 1, 2024-THE ANAHEIM DUCKS SIGN PENDING RFAS ISAC LUNDESTROM, URHO VAAKANAINEN, AND BRETT LEASON TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSIONS Derek: C These moves aren’t needle movers, but they helped add depth in certain areas and came at minimal cost. Lundeström and Leason are dependable forwards who kill penalties while Vaakanainen was used as a trade asset several months later. Patrick: C These are positive deals from an asset management perspective. These three players provided or are providing quality depth minutes for the Ducks, and Vaakanainen was later moved in a trade involving a player the Ducks valued. We'll see what becomes of Lundestrom and Leason, but as of now, they've performed at their expected levels: that of fourth-line players. JULY 2, 2024-THE ANAHEIM DUCKS TRADE A 2026 FOURTH-ROUND PICK TO THE SEATTLE KRAKEN IN EXCHANGE FOR BRIAN DUMOULIN Derek: B With the backend of the blue line unclear, Verbeek went out and acquired Dumoulin just one day after free agency began. After striking out on some of his big free agent targets, a pivot to acquire a veteran defenseman in the form of Dumoulin for a low cost proved to be a shrewd move. Patrick: C+ Dumoulin was the exact player archetype the Ducks needed to add on their blueline in the offseason: mobile, competitive, defensive-oriented, and detailed. The only downside is that he is left-handed, which has proven an issue as the coaching staff and management seem apprehensive when it comes to transitioning a lefty to play on the right side full-time. Another head-scratching aspect of this for me is, why not pursue Dumoulin in the summer of 2023 when he was a UFA? He would have been a nice addition to last year's roster and would have hit the ground running this season with the current iteration. JULY 2, 2024-THE ANAHEIM DUCKS SIGN JANSEN HARKINS TO A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT WITH AN AAV OF $787,500 Derek: C Harkins is a hard-working forward who began this season in the AHL before being called up due to injuries. He’s remained on the roster for most of the season and has done well, providing energy and grit in a bottom-6 role. Patrick: C Harkins has been as advertised since joining the organization: an energetic, forechecking, versatile forward who’s tough to play against. He brings the speed and bite Verbeek was searching for to boost the fourth line. No complaints here, just that it's not a flashy signing. JULY 3, 2024-THE ANAHEIM DUCKS TRADE GAGE ALEXANDER TO THE DETROIT RED WINGS FOR ROBBY FABBRI AND A 2025 CONDITIONAL FOURTH-ROUND PICK (THE EARLIER OF THE WINGS' TWO FOURTH-ROUND PICKS) Derek: D This was essentially a salary dump for the Red Wings. While Fabbri ($4 million AAV) does provide hustle and energy in a buzzsaw fashion and is one of the few players on the team with a Stanley Cup, his defensive metrics are among the worst on the team, and he has failed to convert scoring chances more often than not. Patrick: D+ It was a fourth-round pick in and a fourth-round pick out between this trade and the Dumoulin one. Alexander was the lowest on a deep depth chart between the pipes within the Ducks’ organization. Fabbri’s $4 million cap hit is inconsequential for Anaheim with the space they had on day three of free agency, so the price is a non-issue. The issue lies in Fabbri’s on-ice contributions. He’s a pesky forechecker and can finish on occasion, but he’s a defensive negative despite the role he assumes and has a difficult time building plays with the young offensive talents on the Ducks’ depth chart. At this point, his presence is blocking a path for young players like Sam Colangelo or Sasha Pastujov (who are producing nightly in the AHL) from receiving top nine minutes in the NHL. JULY 15, 2024-THE ANAHEIM DUCKS SIGN JACKSON LACOMBE TO A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT WITH AN AAV OF $925K Patrick: A+ Unfortunately, and along with many rookies on the Ducks' roster last season, LaCombe faced a good amount of growing pains in his first full season as an NHL defenseman. Fortunately for Verbeek, LaCombe has proven a late bloomer and is now the team's number-one defenseman, playing well over 20 minutes per night in all situations. He's the only young skater to take a significant stride this season and is signed for a bargain-bin price in 2025-26. Derek: A This contract looks like an absolute steal now, given how well LaCombe's season has gone. After some ups and downs during his first full season, during which he struggled for a myriad of reasons, he has grabbed his opportunity in full during his sophomore season after a slow start. The hope is that others like Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger will be able to do the same as well, which would provide the Ducks with one of the strongest left-handed blue lines in the league. DEC. 6, 2024-THE ANAHEIM DUCKS TRADE URHO VAAKANAINEN AND A CONDITIONAL 2025 FOURTH-ROUND PICK (LOWER OF ANAHEIM'S TWO FOURTH-ROUND PICKS) TO THE NEW YORK RANGERS IN EXCHANGE FOR JACOB TROUBA Ducks' GM Pat Verbeek Speaks on Jacob Trouba Trade [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-gm-pat-verbeek-speaks-on-jacob-trouba-trade] Derek: C A deal that felt perhaps like a pipe dream at times, Trouba was acquired during the midst of Cam Fowler on the shelf due to injury and Drew Helleson carving out a role for himself during another spell with the Ducks. With Trouba behind Radko Gudas, Verbeek believes he has solidified the right side of the Ducks’ defense with two physical veteran players with leadership qualities. The $8 million cap hit is a bit of a shell shock, but the rising cap in future seasons should help alleviate that. The long-term impact of this deal could hinge on what Verbeek decides to do with Dumoulin, who is a pending UFA. If Dumoulin is dealt, then the logjam will finally be resolved. Patrick: D The issues with this trade for me aren't the often-scrutinized price to take on a big contract given to a player who hasn't lived up to it. The logjam this trade created is a problem that alleviated itself somewhat a week after this trade and will likely further do so in the next few weeks as the deadline approaches. I was on board for adding a veteran, modern-day, shutdown, right-shot defenseman who could pair perfectly next to one of the remarkably talented, young left-shot defensemen the Ducks have on their roster and in their pipeline. Though a fine player, Trouba isn't that, although he's tasked with that role. Trouba's gap control, angling, and overcommitment to the perimeter have led to far too many dangerous chances. His lack of mobility may become a significant issue as time ticks by. It would have been far preferable to sign someone like Brett Pesce, Matt Roy, or William Carrier in the offseason or even claim Dante Fabbro when he was placed on waivers. Trouba adds needed leadership to the locker room, which is great, and the team is winning right now, but I'm wary of how his game will evolve as the team gets closer to contention. DEC. 14, 2024-THE ANAHEIM DUCKS TRADE CAM FOWLER AND A 2027 FOURTH-ROUND PICK TO THE ST. LOUIS BLUES FOR A 2027 SECOND-ROUND PICK AND JEREMIE BIAKABUTUKA Ducks GM Pat Verbeek Speaks on Cam Fowler Trade [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-gm-pat-verbeek-speaks-on-cam-fowler-trade] Derek: C On the surface, this trade doesn’t look great. But when you peel back the layers, it’s understandable why Verbeek had to act quickly once he acquired Trouba. The logjam that had been created was forcing two young defensemen to sit in the press box, and that just could not continue for an extended amount of time. Fowler has certainly benefited from the change of scenery, but, unfortunately, he wasn’t able to reach the 1,000 games played mark with Anaheim. With how much Fowler controlled his destination (four-team trade lost), it was always going to be tough to get adequate value for him. Patrick: C+ The return didn't blow anyone away, and it was never going to. The Trouba trade accelerated this toward the finish line, but I remain skeptical over how much more the Ducks could have gotten had this trade been made closer to the deadline. We're all glad to see Fowler thriving in a different environment and are grateful for his time in a Ducks sweater. The return was fair given the circumstances, and everyone seems to have left happy. JAN. 5, 2025-THE ANAHEIM DUCKS SIGN FRANK VATRANO TO A THREE-YEAR, $18 MILLION CONTRACT EXTENSION ($9 MILLION IN DEFERRED SALARY BEGINNING IN 2035) Derek: B Vatrano provided extra value last season with 37 goals (a career-high) and while he is unlikely to reach that total this season, he has proven to be a valuable player in all aspects for the Ducks. He's part of the power play and the penalty kill and is well-liked in the locker room. With the rising cap, the slight bump in his AAV shouldn't have a significant impact and the money that is deferred helps set Vatrano up for some nice payments down the road once his playing career is over. Patrick: A- This deal was signed just before we found out exactly where the salary cap is projected to go for the next three seasons. With that knowledge and the benefit of hindsight, I bumped this from a B+ to an A-. Though he can be a liability defensively at times, Vatrano is loved in the locker room, gives a full effort on every shift, and is automatic to score at a 20-goal pace. He deserves his stick taps for "getting cute" with the structure and bringing the AAV down by nearly $1.5 million per season. $4.57 is a steal for a 30-year-old 20-goal scorer at the 2024-25 $88 million salary cap ceiling. It becomes even more of a steal as the cap jumps to $95.5 million, $104 million, and $113.5 million over the next three seasons as it's projected to. 4 Nations Face-Off Will Be Great Experience for Leo Carlsson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/4-nations-face-off-will-be-great-experience-for-leo-carlsson] Ducks Forward Makes Surprise Appearance on Insider's Trade Target List [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-forward-makes-surprise-appearance-on-insiders-trade-target-list]
