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Thoughts on the Ondrej Kase trade?

February 22, 2020, 11:32 AM ET [9 Comments]
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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on the Ondrej Kase trade between the Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins.

Todd Cordell

I love this deal for Boston.

Kase is an extremely efficient offensive player at 5v5. No Ducks forward has averaged more goals (1.05) or points (2.06) per 60 minutes of play over the last three seasons. That’s not because they haven’t been a good team; Kase has produced at a 1st line rate.

The only reasons Kase’s overall counting totals don’t pop off the page are a) injuries and; b) middle-6 minutes with, at times, questionable linemates.

Beyond the offense, Kase also has very strong on-ice impacts and drives play. He’ll fit like a glove, and address a big need, playing right wing alongside David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk on Boston’s 2nd line.

I think the 1st round pick and C-level prospect would be a pretty respectable return for Kase, especially considering his injury history. When you factor in Boston also got out from 75% of David Backes’ contract, clearing some much needed cap space, I think this is a homerun for them.

James Tanner

The trade of Kase is a massive win for Boston. They turn wasted cap space into a good player for a pretty low cost considering the ceiling of the player they are getting. Kase has excellent stats and was projected by many people to be a breakout star this year before injuries derailed his season. He is only 24, has a massive up side and the cost is basically nothing, because getting out of the Backes deal is alone almost worth the cost.

There is no guarantee Kase is going to turn into a star player, but even as he is right now, he's a helpful player and Boston wins this trade. He hasn't ever played a full season, but he prorates to a 50 points player, and that's good maybe even high-end second line production.

Anaheim should have gotten more for Kase and Boston is already one of the best teams, but this potentially makes them significantly better.

Sean Maloughney

I really like this trade for the Boston Bruins. Boston is a dominant team and has the potential this season to go all the way to the Cup Finals. The first round pick that they gave up is going to be about as late of a first round pick as you can get.

Now the main addition that Boston received, Ondrej Kase. Kase is a sneaky good player and one of the better shot generators in the league and he is effective in a limited amount of icetime (averages about 15 minutes a game). In that time, Kase scores goals, and in fact is 24th in the league this season in G/60 at 5 on 5. Injuries have always been the story for Kase but this is a player that has the potential to spike in offense on a loaded Bruins team.

Oh! And Boston was also able to get out of the David Backes contract, only keeping 1.5 million in return, saving the team 4.5 million in the process.

For me this is a real head-scratcher from the Ducks. They gave up a young talented player who still has another year on his contract at 2.6 million for what could be the 31st overall pick and 4.5 million in cap with the anchor that is the 35 year old David Backes. One would think there are other teams around the league that would haven given up a first and a prospect for Kase and not had Backes attached to the deal. Great move by the Bruins.

Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com

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