The ducks since 2027/2018 are blowing my mind with what they've done for a rebuild and their asset management
In 2017 the Anaheim Ducks added their last piece for a playoff push. Knowing they were aging, their vets were about done and they were in the same situation we are now in regards to assets; they added Patrick eaves in Feb of 2017 for a conditional pick which became Jokiharju.
Since 2017, the Ducks have committed to no major signings or trades that brought long term players in. They; up until this year; had not signed a contract longer than 3 years. All short term, low value contracts. They started shedding players and assets over the age of 25 while still trying to be competitive. Until March 10th last year they were still 2/3 in the Pacific and in a playoff spot while committing to this program since 2017/2018.
Thank you for the amazing 9 years
www.capfriendly.com
Some examples of this program regarding trading assets, retaining cap or eating a contract and signing trading players include:
Vatanen and a conditional 3rd for Henrique, Blandisi and a 3rd. Henrique is being shopped this year and is rumoured to be one of the hottest forwards available
Brandon Montour for Brendon Guhle and a conditional 1st (Brayden Tracey)
Ondrej Kase for David Backes, Axel Andersson and a 1st round pick (Jacob Perreault)
Josh Manson for Drew Helleson and a 2nd round pick (this year)
Nick Deslauriers for a 3rd
Hampus Lindholm 50% retained with Kodie Curran for Moore, Vaakanainen, 1st round pick (nathan gaucher) 2023 2nd and 2024 2nd
Richard Rakell 35% retained for Simon, Aston-Reese, 2nd round pick (tristan luneau)
Through this program they have assembled a roster/non roster crop of young prospects and blue chip assets that re essentially guaranteed stars that looks like this. This is 100% NOT to say that they have not made some questionable decisions; but you can see how management has made efforts and attempts to weaponize their cap space, roster and cap retention as well as trading assets on or near expiring contracts to push forward with an eye for the future.
McTavish/Zegras/Gaucher/Pastujov/Perreault/Tracey all at forward and then that defense of Hinds/Zellweger/Mintyukov/Helleson with not a single one of them currently over the age of 21. They are also the front runners for Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson. One of the top 3 centres available this year, that have been noted to all go as potential 1st overall picks in other years
Thank you for the amazing 9 years
www.capfriendly.com
That's not including whoever they draft this year as well with 4 picks in the first 2 rounds and their entire roster over the age of 25 up for grabs including Henrique/Shattenkirk/Klingberg who will return at least late 1sts. This is a group of large bodied players barring Hinds. They are all young, 21 or younger and all cost controlled. They also have a smattering of other promising young assets.
Picking no less than 4 times in the first three rounds in every draft since 2019. 6 first's, 5 seconds and 3 thirds. 5 picks in the first 3 rounds without making a single move this year and 4 in the first 3 next year.
Kind of scared of the future Ducks