I like Lacombe and eventually having him back in MN would be pretty cool, but we aren't trading for defensemen right now and especially not with one of our top 3 or 4 prospects.

That's fair, that trade really was more about the Ducks alleviating a position this offseason where they have a backlog. I went with Minnesota for the homecoming factor and also because besides Brodin they don't have any LHD signed past next year and just guessed they might have some interest in a young NHL ready defensemen for above Meryll/Chishom in the depth chart. The return might've been too much though, so I'd get it being for a different player or with a different team entirely.

Interesting trade idea. Trading Lacombe seems a little short-sighted imo, as he can be the perfect 3LHD once the Fowler contract is up and the Ducks are properly competing. However, Fowler still has 2 years after this one and a 4 team trade list. Ducks could buy him out, but I just don't see that being a realistic option with all he has done for the franchise. Depends how the team sees Tyson Hinds and whether or not he can move up in two years to replace Cam. I'm not sure what Pat will do on the backend, but I would at least consider trading Lacombe. Pat did mention that Luneau is likely to be a full timer next season, so if Ducks did draft a RHD, they would not make the team next year. Lindstrom and Vaaks would be 7/8, and I could see the Ducks keeping 8 Defensemen up to start next season. Pesce, Roy, or even Demelo if he makes it to FA would be ideal options if Lacombe is gone (contract dependent). Same with the top 6 winger, with both of those signings, term could be a killer, so no move might be the best move if Ducks cant get shorter term deals.

The way I saw it, Fowler will have 2 years left still and is unlikely to be traded. Between him, Minty, Zell, Lacombe, and Vaaks we have 5 defensemen for 3 slots. I think this season has shown having any of them play their off side negatively impacts their performance and healthy scratching Lacombe for 2 more years behind Minty/Zell/Fowler felt bad. Seemed like finding a trade partner to take Lacombe or Vaaks and having the other as a 7th defensemen felt palatable, and Lacombe probably nets the better trade return of the two where we can maybe get an upside winger. If we don't have a replacement for fowler in the pipeline when his contract is up finding a bottom pairing LHD defensemen at that time can be addressed with a short term free agency or another trade.

As far as the right side, I missed Verbeek saying Luneau has a spot next year. He has basically took this whole season off though because of his knee issue, so I wouldn't mind giving him AHL time just to start the year. If we draft Yakemchuck we could always give him a 9 game tryout and then send him back to play in World juniors by December and call up Luneau at that time. Obviously not necessary though, could make do with Lindstrom if necessary, and Fowler-Luneau is an awesome bottom pair if Verbeek sticks to his guns and Luneau is up the entire time next season.

I agree with pretty much all of that, and thinking about it now, 3LHD is a pretty easy position to fill in free agency or by trade, so I kind of agree that losing Lacombe wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I like his game, but we could probably afford someone who is more defensively focused in that slot (like Vaaks). That said, I think you can justify Vaaks as a 7th D, but Lacombe probably shouldnt be in that role, so he is kind of the odd one out. Now you've got me working on a ACGM centered around trading Lacombe.