Ben Shelley: Ducks trade Hampus Lindholm to Bruins, ship Nicolas Deslauriers to Wild

It's crazy. The Ducks where a rising team that probably only needed to a Get a good top 6 foward and resign one or 2 of our UFAs and we could have been a playoff team again. The Ducks had 12 million in Cap space. I wasn't unreasonable to expect one of Manson or Lindholm to be resigned. Rackell was expected to be traded. We have alot of young fowards that need minutes. But alas not alot of upcoming dmen.
So why trade three core pieces of a team that was finally showing promise? Well, New vision. The team wasn't what Pat Verbeek wanted. He didn't like what was built. Is it right or wrong. Only time will tell. Gotta see what the draft picks turn into. Gotta see if the current prospects actually grow under the new regime.
The Ducks fans have been waiting 4 years for a good team. Now we need to wait 1 or 2 more. Will it be worth it. Alot of analytics bloggers say yes. Thinking more is better. Thinking that since they can do it on there Xbox. It surely must be easy to do in real life. But real life isn't so easy. Alot can go wrong. This is a gamble. Plan and simple. Will it pay off. Time will tell.
What do we know then. Well,, this isn't Bob Murray's team anymore. You can't blame him. GM Pat Verbeek has changed course of the USS Anaheim Ducks. And it's definitely his ship now. And it's his mess to clean up.

Lindholm I thought would of been a guy to keep. Wondering if he was asking for more money that want Verbeek was willing to give.

I think the return is more than I expected. So good on that. The return on deslauriers was solid as well.

Lindholm I thought would of been a guy to keep. Wondering if he was asking for more money that want Verbeek was willing to give.

I think the return is more than I expected. So good on that. The return on deslauriers was solid as well.
- poisondhearts37

From what i read, the problem wasn't money but the term. Lindholm wanted 7 or 8 years while Verbeek didn't want to go over 5 years or something like that. We'll see if he signs for less years with the Bruins or if they will have to go 7 or 8 years to get him to sign.

From what i read, the problem wasn't money but the term. Lindholm wanted 7 or 8 years while Verbeek didn't want to go over 5 years or something like that. We'll see if he signs for less years with the Bruins or if they will have to go 7 or 8 years to get him to sign.
- dcz28

The Ducks have always been tight with money. That's one thing that made Bob Murray popular with ownership. Very frugal. Seems like Pat Verbeek is the same. The Ducks had alot of cap space. And only 2 long term contacts. So adding a third long term contract wasn't as big of a deal as everyone makes it. Manson was 30 years old and a average skater at best. Giving him a contract would have been bad. Rackell is 28. But the Ducks have alot of young fowards. So losing him isn't bad. Lindholm is a head scratcher. He skates well. Smart in the D Zone. Not physical. But that leads him to less injuries. The contract Boston signed him to at 6.5 x 8 isn't as bad as everyone thinks. So all this says about the Ducks is that there cheap.

Verbeek crushed it so far…

An aside … keep up the great work Ben…

The Ducks have always been tight with money. That's one thing that made Bob Murray popular with ownership. Very frugal. Seems like Pat Verbeek is the same. The Ducks had alot of cap space. And only 2 long term contacts. So adding a third long term contract wasn't as big of a deal as everyone makes it. Manson was 30 years old and a average skater at best. Giving him a contract would have been bad. Rackell is 28. But the Ducks have alot of young fowards. So losing him isn't bad. Lindholm is a head scratcher. He skates well. Smart in the D Zone. Not physical. But that leads him to less injuries. The contract Boston signed him to at 6.5 x 8 isn't as bad as everyone thinks. So all this says about the Ducks is that there cheap.
- Eman87654

I respect your opinion… but couldn’t disagree more…Hampus # been trending down..
8 yrs is a mistake … all the picks .. take the swing @ Chychrun.

I respect your opinion… but couldn’t disagree more…Hampus # been trending down..
8 yrs is a mistake … all the picks .. take the swing @ Chychrun.
- dozerD10

Chychrun will cost the Ducks more than than they got for Lindholm. And Chychrun is trending down. He has the same style as Manson. Players who play that style don't age well if they either Don't have speed or skill to rely on.

As far as weather the Lindholm trade can be good?Maybe. Depends on who Verbeek drafts. Watch this years draft. See what the Ducks do with that first pick we got from Boston. That will be the best asset we get out of this trade. If it's bad. Then the trade will probably be bad. So I'm gonna wait till then.

The Ducks have always been tight with money. That's one thing that made Bob Murray popular with ownership. Very frugal. Seems like Pat Verbeek is the same. The Ducks had alot of cap space. And only 2 long term contacts. So adding a third long term contract wasn't as big of a deal as everyone makes it. Manson was 30 years old and a average skater at best. Giving him a contract would have been bad. Rackell is 28. But the Ducks have alot of young fowards. So losing him isn't bad. Lindholm is a head scratcher. He skates well. Smart in the D Zone. Not physical. But that leads him to less injuries. The contract Boston signed him to at 6.5 x 8 isn't as bad as everyone thinks. So all this says about the Ducks is that there cheap.
- Eman87654

I would imagine Verbeek will do the same as Yzerman did with Detroit. Shorter contracts and only keep player that will fit the age group of the young core. Keep vets on 1 or 2 year deals and the young players 5 years or below unless they know they are getting a great deal on a core player to build around. Yzerman also learned not to hand out a lot of NTCs from his time in Tampa. Lindholm did fit the age group (under 30 years old) but the term was too long.

Probably a bit gutted you guys lost both but Verbeek got some pretty damb unreal return. Tough pill, but you cant just let guys walk if they dont want to re-sign

I would imagine Verbeek will do the same as Yzerman did with Detroit. Shorter contracts and only keep player that will fit the age group of the young core. Keep vets on 1 or 2 year deals and the young players 5 years or below unless they know they are getting a great deal on a core player to build around. Yzerman also learned not to hand out a lot of NTCs from his time in Tampa. Lindholm did fit the age group (under 30 years old) but the term was too long.
- dcz28

I think it's better to have a veteran core. Tring to push young players into leadership roles where they have to play alot a minutes and be accountable is counter productive. Right now these young players need to be put in a position to learn. Learn from there Coaches, other players, and even from there mistakes. And this takes time. It would be better to send all the young players back to the AHL if the Ducks don't plan to build a winning team. Right now the only young player I think is ready to be considered a core player is Troy Terry. The rest a still tring to figure out how they're going to be successful in the NHL.

I think it's better to have a veteran core. Tring to push young players into leadership roles where they have to play alot a minutes and be accountable is counter productive. Right now these young players need to be put in a position to learn. Learn from there Coaches, other players, and even from there mistakes. And this takes time. It would be better to send all the young players back to the AHL if the Ducks don't plan to build a winning team. Right now the only young player I think is ready to be considered a core player is Troy Terry. The rest a still tring to figure out how they're going to be successful in the NHL.
- Eman87654

If you have a solid vet core in their prime then great but i don't think the Ducks have that just like Detroit didn't have that when Yzerman took over. They have a bunch of young guys that will be their core and you give them some good vets to show them the way to be pros. Ducks still have some building to do unless you want them to be a constant playoff bubble team or first round fodder for years and pray they can go on some miracle run to lose in the finals...or they can continue to build through the draft and try and build a deep team that can be a cup contender for years like Tampa. Pretty sure Verbeek wants them to contend like Tampa just like Yzerman with Detroit wants that too.

If you have a solid vet core in their prime then great but i don't think the Ducks have that just like Detroit didn't have that when Yzerman took over. They have a bunch of young guys that will be their core and you give them some good vets to show them the way to be pros. Ducks still have some building to do unless you want them to be a constant playoff bubble team or first round fodder for years and pray they can go on some miracle run to lose in the finals...or they can continue to build through the draft and try and build a deep team that can be a cup contender for years like Tampa. Pretty sure Verbeek wants them to contend like Tampa just like Yzerman with Detroit wants that too.
- dcz28

Well. Using Detroit as a standard. I do think Yzerman is doing I wrong. The one part that the Red wings keep failing at is player development. And with all the talk about how they let there young player stay in the AHL a year or 2 longer. It hasn't help them. Sometimes players like Zadina, Snider, Raymond, etc don't need time. They need experience and mentorship. Just siting in the AHL not being challenged. Not having examples to learn from has held the Redwing back for years now. This is not an example we should be following.

The example we should be following. And I hate to admit this. But it's the Kings. The Kings have strengthen there core of Doughty, Kopitar, Quick, Brown with other players like Danualt, etc. And are tring to build up with a good working mentality. Young players can just come into there system LA has created and learn. No pressure. Just do what your told. But Detroit constantly throws there players into the deep end. Manta, Zedina are great examples of this.

Well. Using Detroit as a standard. I do think Yzerman is doing I wrong. The one part that the Red wings keep failing at is player development. And with all the talk about how they let there young player stay in the AHL a year or 2 longer. It hasn't help them. Sometimes players like Zadina, Snider, Raymond, etc don't need time. They need experience and mentorship. Just siting in the AHL not being challenged. Not having examples to learn from has held the Redwing back for years now. This is not an example we should be following.

The example we should be following. And I hate to admit this. But it's the Kings. The Kings have strengthen there core of Doughty, Kopitar, Quick, Brown with other players like Danualt, etc. And are tring to build up with a good working mentality. Young players can just come into there system LA has created and learn. No pressure. Just do what your told. But Detroit constantly throws there players into the deep end. Manta, Zedina are great examples of this.
- Eman87654

The Wings use to keep players in the AHL for 3 years but a lot of time the players were not 1st round picks (because they would always trade those away for cup runs) and were projects that needed extra time to develop. Wings have change that and many players have not spent a lot of time in the AHL.

Larkin didn't play a single game in the AHL. Bertuzzi played 2 seasons but he needed some time. Zadina played 80 games in the AHL and i think he might have needed more. Rasmussen played a total of 45 AHL games. Raymond came to the NHL right from Sweden. Seider only played part of 1 season in the AHL and went to the SHL because of the delayed NHL season with covid. Hronek only played 31 AHL games before getting into the NHL. Lindstrom played 58 AHL games. Veleno has played 69 AHL games. So to say the Wings leave their prospect too long in the AHL is quite outdated. They leave the prospects that need that time there. No point in bringing up prospects that aren't doing good in the AHL for them to struggle and lose all confidence in the NHL on top of making the team worst or sitting in the press box.

First you said the Wings leave their prospects too long in the AHL and then at the end you say they throw them into the NHL too fast...which one is it? Oh and Mantha was not thrown into the NHL too fast. He did quite well for the Wings. The only problem with Mantha was he could slack off for stretches of games and then be a top player for another stretch. That and he was often getting injured fighting.

The Wings use to keep players in the AHL for 3 years but a lot of time the players were not 1st round picks (because they would always trade those away for cup runs) and were projects that needed extra time to develop. Wings have change that and many players have not spent a lot of time in the AHL.

Larkin didn't play a single game in the AHL. Bertuzzi played 2 seasons but he needed some time. Zadina played 80 games in the AHL and i think he might have needed more. Rasmussen played a total of 45 AHL games. Raymond came to the NHL right from Sweden. Seider only played part of 1 season in the AHL and went to the SHL because of the delayed NHL season with covid. Hronek only played 31 AHL games before getting into the NHL. Lindstrom played 58 AHL games. Veleno has played 69 AHL games. So to say the Wings leave their prospect too long in the AHL is quite outdated. They leave the prospects that need that time there. No point in bringing up prospects that aren't doing good in the AHL for them to struggle and lose all confidence in the NHL on top of making the team worst or sitting in the press box.

First you said the Wings leave their prospects too long in the AHL and then at the end you say they throw them into the NHL too fast...which one is it? Oh and Mantha was not thrown into the NHL too fast. He did quite well for the Wings. The only problem with Mantha was he could slack off for stretches of games and then be a top player for another stretch. That and he was often getting injured fighting.
- dcz28

Wow. Obviously your a real a real wings fan. Nice . But I also had to watch the wings when the use to be in the pacific. Those where the days huh. Anyways. Yeah. Detroit had talent. But talent needs time to develop. I do remember Larkin. That's when you were still a playoff team and needed to fill out your roster for the playoffs. Mantha was slow played in the Ahl because you started to lose and it didn't Matter. But when he got to the NHL his development slowed. And in my opinion the reason was he was on a losing team. Zadina was brought up after mantha. But he's a winger. And you didn't have a good center to play with him so he struggled.
Rasmussen I didn't see.
But my point is, is that these players would've developed faster and probably learn more if you had a better team around them. I mean Moritz sieder is looking like a beast. And Lucas Raymond had a good start. But I'd be willing to bet that in 2 or 3 years we are going to be talking about how there development has stopped. And there's going to be a big debate about how good they really are. And the reason I believe this is because they don't really have any good mentorship on the wings. Sieder and Raymond pretty much have to figure it out on there own. While tring to carry the wings on there back at the same time.
Which brings me back to the Kings. The reason I believe the kings prospects are going to get good is because they have a great core of veterans that really regulate that team. They play as a team. With a good system. And have lots of leadership. The Kings young players just have to work hard. Pay attention. And do what there told. And because of this. There gonna learn faster. And learn more. And sadly the truth is. The Kings are gonna surpass both the Ducks and the Red wings. Even though both teams started there rebuild before the kings. But because the kings are gonna develop better. They will get more out of there talented young players. While the Ducks and wings prospects are just going to be forced into rolls there not ready for.

Wow. Obviously your a real a real wings fan. Nice . But I also had to watch the wings when the use to be in the pacific. Those where the days huh. Anyways. Yeah. Detroit had talent. But talent needs time to develop. I do remember Larkin. That's when you were still a playoff team and needed to fill out your roster for the playoffs. Mantha was slow played in the Ahl because you started to lose and it didn't Matter. But when he got to the NHL his development slowed. And in my opinion the reason was he was on a losing team. Zadina was brought up after mantha. But he's a winger. And you didn't have a good center to play with him so he struggled.
Rasmussen I didn't see.
But my point is, is that these players would've developed faster and probably learn more if you had a better team around them. I mean Moritz sieder is looking like a beast. And Lucas Raymond had a good start. But I'd be willing to bet that in 2 or 3 years we are going to be talking about how there development has stopped. And there's going to be a big debate about how good they really are. And the reason I believe this is because they don't really have any good mentorship on the wings. Sieder and Raymond pretty much have to figure it out on there own. While tring to carry the wings on there back at the same time.
Which brings me back to the Kings. The reason I believe the kings prospects are going to get good is because they have a great core of veterans that really regulate that team. They play as a team. With a good system. And have lots of leadership. The Kings young players just have to work hard. Pay attention. And do what there told. And because of this. There gonna learn faster. And learn more. And sadly the truth is. The Kings are gonna surpass both the Ducks and the Red wings. Even though both teams started there rebuild before the kings. But because the kings are gonna develop better. They will get more out of there talented young players. While the Ducks and wings prospects are just going to be forced into rolls there not ready for.
- Eman87654

You don't know this until the kids try it.. MacTavish didn't look out of place for 1 second in Anaheim.. I advocated for him to spend the whole yr here. He's obviously too good for AHL and jr.

Couple that with the straight up trajectory of Zellweger who by all accounts and from the tape I've seen is more than ready to play NHL minutes.

You've got Perreault ready to go.. Dostal ready Zell and MacTavish... all Ducks next yr.

You can always fill in some vets..

Wow. Obviously your a real a real wings fan. Nice . But I also had to watch the wings when the use to be in the pacific. Those where the days huh. Anyways. Yeah. Detroit had talent. But talent needs time to develop. I do remember Larkin. That's when you were still a playoff team and needed to fill out your roster for the playoffs. Mantha was slow played in the Ahl because you started to lose and it didn't Matter. But when he got to the NHL his development slowed. And in my opinion the reason was he was on a losing team. Zadina was brought up after mantha. But he's a winger. And you didn't have a good center to play with him so he struggled.
Rasmussen I didn't see.
But my point is, is that these players would've developed faster and probably learn more if you had a better team around them. I mean Moritz sieder is looking like a beast. And Lucas Raymond had a good start. But I'd be willing to bet that in 2 or 3 years we are going to be talking about how there development has stopped. And there's going to be a big debate about how good they really are. And the reason I believe this is because they don't really have any good mentorship on the wings. Sieder and Raymond pretty much have to figure it out on there own. While tring to carry the wings on there back at the same time.
Which brings me back to the Kings. The reason I believe the kings prospects are going to get good is because they have a great core of veterans that really regulate that team. They play as a team. With a good system. And have lots of leadership. The Kings young players just have to work hard. Pay attention. And do what there told. And because of this. There gonna learn faster. And learn more. And sadly the truth is. The Kings are gonna surpass both the Ducks and the Red wings. Even though both teams started there rebuild before the kings. But because the kings are gonna develop better. They will get more out of there talented young players. While the Ducks and wings prospects are just going to be forced into rolls there not ready for.
- Eman87654

Can't say i miss the late games all the time from the Wings being in the West. Going to bed past midnight when you have to be up before 6am and at work by 7am can make for long days.

Mantha did well playing with Larkin and Bertuzzi, they were a solid producing line. Problem was they had nothing beyond that worth anything up front. Zadina did well with 15 points in 28 games and looked good but then got injured and missed most of the rest of the season. He struggled last season but i think the coach was harping on him focusing on his defensive game. This season he's looked good but can't seem to put the puck in with all the chances he has every game.

Wings biggest issues right now is they lack a true offensive 2nd line center. They have had this problem for years now. They have signed centers hoping they could be that but were 3rd line centers at best forced to play on the 2nd line just like Suter is right now. They have plenty of wingers but no true 2nd line center that would knock Suter where he belongs on the 3rd line. The other issue is the left side of the defense. Leddy is horrible defensively. DeKeyser (Seider was stuck with him most of the season) is AHL caliber at this point. Staal is fine but is asked to play more because of how weak they are on the left side. Oesterle is ok but not a top 4 guy. The right side with Seider, Hronek and Lindstrom is good. Edvinsson, Johanssen and Wallinder might all come over next season and i expect at least one of them (most likely Edvinsson) to make the Wings and likely be able to handle top 4 minutes. Wings might need someone else to play in their top 4 on the left side. To take heat off the prospects. I was hoping they would sign Lindholm but that ship has sailed and 7 or 8 years is too much. I am hoping they sign Trocheck as UFA but that is unlikely since most players are getting signed before they hit the market. Yzerman might again sign place holders until the prospects can take over which means they will struggle again next season but be a bit better.


Would it better to bring in young players to teams with solid top vets...of course but if you don't have that, you have to build it. Signing a bunch of top UFAs will just cause problems with the cap when those young players need to get paid. You can trade for some but then you are giving up assets that should be used to build up the prospect pool. You talk about the Kings but look at Byfield. He isn't thriving on the Kings right now compared to a lot of players that were taken after him in that draft including Raymond and Drysdale. Sometimes prospects just don't reach their potential no matter well surrounded they are by solid vets. I'm not saying Byfield is a bust but he's putting up Rasmussen (as a rookie) type of numbers right now which is not what you want from a 2nd overall pick.

Raks skating at practice... hmmm interesting. We picked up some dude from Flyers... and our new Finn is in Anaheim.. would love to see him tomorrow night...