Team: 2022-23 Anaheim Ducks

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 17, 2022

Published: Jun. 18, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

RFAs:

Isac Lundestrom - Bit of an expensive contract for a 3rd liner, but his contributions on the powerplay and penalty kill make up for it.

Sonny Milano - Might be over or underpaying him a bit, solid player but really only performs well when he's playing with Zegras.

Zach Aston-Reese - An incredible defensive winger who can't do much else. Defensive skills still get him a reasonable raise though.

Sam Steel - Small deal for Sam Steel. Once thought to be a potential top-six player now has a good role on the penalty kill and fourth line, last chance to prove he can be something more.

Urho Vaakanainen - Prove-it deal for Vaakanainen. Chance for a solid young defenceman to show if he can be a top-four defenceman or if he's destined to be a bottom pairing player.

Trade Explanation:

This trade assumes that Toronto cannot resign Cambell and that they decide to blow up the core 4. Gibson for Nylander by itself doesn’t work, but I believe that if the Ducks throw in Maxime Comtois and take Mrazek, the Leafs consider it. Ducks also take Semyon Der-Arguchinstev, a decent prospect who can’t progress in Toronto’s system due to their depth and in return they overpay with Colorado’s 2023 2nd. Ducks get an excellent winger for Zegras to play with and a prospect for the future middle/bottom six, while Leafs get salary relief, a good goalie in Gibson, and a player who still has top six talent but needs a new system.

Edmonton’s in a tight salary situation where they don’t have the money to resign Ryan McLeod, Jesse Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto, and Evander Kane, which is why Tyson Barrie finds himself on the block. Edmonton saves $2,550,000 by trading Barrie for Shattenkirk with 50% salary retention. Shattenkirk is an offensive defenceman, just like Barrie, and while he can’t man the top powerplay like Barrie can, he can still play on the powerplay. Barrie leaving also opens up the top powerplay spot for Evan Bouchard, while Shattenkirk slots into Bouchard’s place on the second powerplay.
Even with $2,550,000 opening up due to trading Barrie, Edmonton still cannot resign all of their RFAs and Evander Kane. Through this trade Anaheim also acquires Kailer Yamamoto for Pittsburg’s 2022 2nd and Anaheim’s 2023 4th. Anaheim gets the speedy second line right winger they are looking for and Edmonton gets a couple of picks. (Admittedly I may have underpaid for Kailer, however keep in mind Ducks are doing this trade to open up cap space for Edmonton)

UFA Signings:

Robert Hagg - Healthy scratch most of the time, can switch with Josh Mahura and play on the penalty kill when necessary

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