Value of: Frank Vatrano at the deadline.

LEAFANFORLIFE23

Registered User
Jun 17, 2010
47,793
16,347
We are a little bit under 3 months away from the deadline and the Ducks look like they are going to be sellers.

Frank Vatrano is going to be a target for teams looking for depth scoring. As of right now I don't think he's in 1st round pick territory but that could change in the next 10 weeks.

Right now I think he's in 2nd+3rd or 2nd+ decent prospect territory and I say that based on what Toffoli got last year
 

WhatTheDuck

9 - 20 - 8
May 17, 2007
24,620
18,798
Worst Case, Ontario
The Ducks have had so many picks in recent years, and hit on enough mid rounders (becoming decent prospects) that they will soon run out of space to develop all of them. Had to start Sasha Pastujov in the ECHL until injuries and call ups made space, Rodwin Dionicio has been scratched a bunch lately. Then you look at the Ducks and Gulls, both seem to struggle from a lack of true high end veteran talent.

Point being, I don't know how many more times the Ducks should be making these types of moves. If Vatrano gets hot enough to pull a 1st round pick, you probably have to pull the trigger. Otherwise they should be seriously considering signing him. He's one of two guys on the roster who have any goal scoring credentials. He's fairly physical and has improved his two way game. Apparently really loves it in Anaheim and is grateful for having the opportunity to break out there. As long as the term doesn't get absurd, I'd just keep him around for middle six type money. The Ducks have trouble attracting free agents, can't count on replacing his scoring and already struggle to score.
 
Last edited:

Rec T

Registered User
Jun 1, 2007
1,596
1,318
NKY
Otherwise they should be seriously considering signing him.
I agree. He's shown over the past couple of years that he can be productive even in the midst of a dumpster fire system. I doubt that any return for him would come close to what he's bringing to the ice (& that won't show up for at least a couple of years when they need the stability 'now'). If he's happy living/playing there & willing to take a medium length contract at a decent salary, sign him.

Even a first from a competitive team is likely a much later first ... those have value to be certain, but not as much as people around here like to think. If Anaheim was able to sign good free agents on occasion, I'd be more willing to roll the dice. But in this case the bird in hand is probably much better than a mystery box in the bush (to completely mangle metaphors...)
 
  • Like
Reactions: WhatTheDuck

LEAFANFORLIFE23

Registered User
Jun 17, 2010
47,793
16,347
The Ducks have had so many picks in recent years, and hit on enough mid rounders (becoming decent prospects) that they will soon run out of space to develop all of them. Had to start Sasha Pastujov in the ECHL until injuries and call ups made space, Rodwin Dionicio has been scratched a bunch lately. Then you look at the Ducks and Gulls, both seem to struggle from a lack of true high end veteran talent.

Point being, I don't know how many more times the Ducks should be making these types of moves. If Vatrano gets hot enough to pull a 1st round pick, you probably have to pull the trigger. Otherwise they should be seriously considering signing him. He's one of two guys on the roster who have any goal scoring credentials. He's fairly physical and has improved his two way game. Apparently really loves it in Anaheim and is grateful for having the opportunity to break out there. As long as the term doesn't get absurd, I'd just keep him around for middle six type money. The Ducks have trouble attracting free agents, can't count on replacing his scoring and already struggle to score.

The Ducks are a rebuilding team and this is his chance at a fairly big payday, I'm not sure the Ducks are the team that's going to pay him his money or term.
 

WhatTheDuck

9 - 20 - 8
May 17, 2007
24,620
18,798
Worst Case, Ontario
The Ducks are a rebuilding team and this is his chance at a fairly big payday, I'm not sure the Ducks are the team that's going to pay him his money or term.

They were in full rebuild mode when he signed there last time, now are at least hoping to be taking steps forward. They have as much cap space as anyone, he's already shown to be a good fit, and he's one of two proven scorers on the roster.

“I don't want play anywhere else. It's where I want to be. I see the bigger picture. I see how good we're going to be next year and the years to come, so I want to be part of the solution.” - Vatrano


Like I said, if there's a strong enough offer, you have to consider it, as with any impending UFA on a non playoff team. But it's not some inevitability they will sell him off for the best offer. They have good reason to keep him and that's a very realistic result. They aren't trying to stay in a perpetual state of rebuilding and really don't need more middling young assets at all. Need more quality veterans around and not less, Vatrano is more likely to sign in Anaheim for reasonable market value than some random other free agent.
 

doomscroll

Registered User
Jan 15, 2018
911
1,203
Trading him now when his value is likely much less than it would have been last deadline seems like poor asset management. Regardless, at a certain point the Ducks need to stop rebuilding and start building a veteran corps around their current group of young talent. They have a young group of quality centers, some good young D-men, and a solid young goalie - acquiring more picks outside the top-half of the first round is pretty pointless. They should keep and re-sign him.
 

Zegs2sendhelp

HFBoards Sponsor
Sponsor
Jul 25, 2012
43,479
40,672
Trading him now when his value is likely much less than it would have been last deadline seems like poor asset management. Regardless, at a certain point the Ducks need to stop rebuilding and start building a veteran corps around their current group of young talent. They have a young group of quality centers, some good young D-men, and a solid young goalie - acquiring more picks outside the top-half of the first round is pretty pointless. They should keep and re-sign him.
I actually think we should bring back Vatrano as a depth guy…. Can fit on 2nd line but can also be a solid bottom 6 guy that can bring energy/scoring

But pv needs to see if he’s interested in that…. Or we have no choice but to move him
 
  • Like
Reactions: bernmeister

cheesymc

Registered User
Feb 28, 2002
4,202
1,887
Irvine
Visit site
Verbeeks cheeks are wide open and ready to get bent over. All lowball offers are not open for business. He’s gonna blow it up before resigning.
 

LEAFANFORLIFE23

Registered User
Jun 17, 2010
47,793
16,347
Trading him now when his value is likely much less than it would have been last deadline seems like poor asset management. Regardless, at a certain point the Ducks need to stop rebuilding and start building a veteran corps around their current group of young talent. They have a young group of quality centers, some good young D-men, and a solid young goalie - acquiring more picks outside the top-half of the first round is pretty pointless. They should keep and re-sign him.

If Vatrano is interested in that then yes they should bring him back but that's not up to them that's TOTALLY up to him.

Does nothing he want to be on a rebuilding team?
 

KevinRedkey

12/18/23 and beyond!
Sponsor
Jan 22, 2010
10,585
5,929
Tyler Boucher
OTT 2nd
Conditional 2026 FLA 3rd (If OTT makes 2nd round of playoffs in 2025)
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad