NHL Trade Speculation: Which Anaheim Ducks Will Be Moved This Offseason?

NHL Trade Speculation: Which Anaheim Ducks Will Be Moved This Offseason?
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1Matt Beleskey
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2Niklas Hagman
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3Jason Blake
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4Lubomir Visnovsky
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NHL Trade Speculation: Which Anaheim Ducks Will Be Moved This Offseason?

Jun 17, 2012

NHL Trade Speculation: Which Anaheim Ducks Will Be Moved This Offseason?

The Anaheim Ducks have some work to do this offseason, regardless of whether Teemu Selanne returns. Several players could walk in free agency, so by "moved" I am including those that Anaheim simply chooses not to re-sign.

With almost the entire second and third line heading for free agency, the Ducks could look very different as they approach training camp. Dealing with age will be perhaps just as important as dealing with team vacancies.

Though they won't admit it, Anaheim is in a rebuilding phase and needs to see better management from Bob Murray, who after taking over for the departed Brian Burke hasn't been able to return the Ducks to Stanley Cup form. This has created somewhat of a youth movement in Anaheim, and if we see this in full effect, expect the Ducks to move some of their pieces this summer.

Here are four players who are most likely to be on their way out of Anaheim.

Matt Beleskey

Matt Beleskey had some promising moments and has spent long stretches in Anaheim's starting rotation. Unfortunately, his ability to produce past the 20-point mark has never been showcased at the NHL level.

Last year was probably his best chance to assert himself as a potential top-six forward, as he was given the opportunity to play in 70 games. The result: four goals and 15 points.

Those numbers aren't going to guarantee him much more than a fourth-line spot, if that.

Niklas Hagman

While he's probably thought of as better than a fourth-line forward, and possibly a reliable top-six on some teams, Hagman's production has declined steadily in the past few years.

Unfortunately for the Ducks, he's not a 40-point player like when he was with the Dallas Stars.

It's always possible he could regain his form, but with so many promising wingers in Anaheim's farm system, and the likelihood of a very active summer in free agency, management will probably let him walk.

Jason Blake

His contract is up and the consensus in Anaheim is that Jason Blake was way too expensive for his production level.

Like so many of the Ducks' wingers, he's had stretches of brilliance, but nothing consistent. It's hard to accept as he's only a few years removed from a 60-point season.

Needless to say, if he wants to stay in Anaheim he'll be taking a pay cut, that's if Anaheim chooses to re-sign him.

Lubomir Visnovsky

Lubomir Visnovsky might be the only real trade bait Anaheim has on its roster, aside from the top line. On a team mired in mediocrity, Visnovsky stands out as only being one year removed from leading all defenders in scoring.

If the Ducks were to move any players via trade that aren't prospects, or part of their first-line trio, Visnovsky could very well be the centerpiece of such a trade.

With Cam Fowler, Luca Sbisa and the likelihood of another top prospect defender coming the Ducks' way in the draft, Visnovsky could be expendable.

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