The Anaheim Ducks acquired forward Alexander Volkov from the Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday, in exchange for forward Antoine Morand and a seventh-round pick in 2023.
TRADE: We have acquired Alexander Volkov from Tampa Bay in exchange for Antoine Morand and a conditional seventh-round selection in 2023.#FlyTogetherhttps://t.co/2rKOI6Z6LC
Volkov is a 23-year-old winger, who has played 19 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning this season, registering three goals and five points. He spent the majority of the 2019-20 season in the AHL, scoring nine goals and 30 points in 46 games.
Morand was selected by the Ducks with the 60th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. He made the jump to professional hockey last season but has struggled to make an impact with the San Diego Gulls. This season, he has one goal and six points in 21 AHL games.
ANALYSIS
While this is a relatively minor deal in the grand scheme of things, I think the Ducks are getting the better player, even if it meant giving up a pick.
My question, however, is what is the reasoning for the deal? The Ducks already have a surplus of depth forwards and I don’t know how much of a chance Volkov is going to get. He’ll also be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
All in all, not a bad trade for the Ducks but I’d imagine we see some larger moves made before the deadline.
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