Value of: Frank Vatrano at the deadline.

[ZegrassyKnoll]

Vatrano is built for the playoffs and I have to imagine would fetch a high value.

That said, he plays the exact kind of game Verbeek wants us to play and seems to really like it here, so I'd be surprised if he was traded.

 

[LuGBuG]

Maybe or maybe not. It is a question of allocating resources including signing other potential free agents (i.e., a better player).

That being said, do you think Vatrano is looking for a 2 year contract? i doubt that as this is his final high dollar contract opportunity.

No I’d sign him for a longer contract though as he is a good player. As long as the money makes sense he’s very effective and can play anywhere in the lineup with the kids. He’s only 30. I’m not saying 8 years and a ton, but if it makes sense he should 100% be re-signed.

 

[NWWisconsinDuck]

Honestly I think for Anaheim right now it’s possible they could be a buyer of sorts - not because they’re contending this year but because they want to continue to take steps toward contending. Clearly, even with some glaring issues, this team is better than last year’s team and the year before that.

Trading Vatrano means it’s harder for them to continue to be competitive and for just another pick, unless it’s a first, I’m not sure that makes a ton of sense right now. They’re 9 points out of a playoff spot with a couple games in hand. They won’t make the playoffs but I think it’s far more important to have this young group striving for something and playing meaningful games than acquiring another pick for another asset

 

[tomd]

My guess (based on previous history) is that Verbeek will offer Vatrano a 3-year contract in the $4 million range. If Vatrano wants a richer/longer deal then he will be traded.

 

[Gliff]

My guess (based on previous history) is that Verbeek will offer Vatrano a 3-year contract in the $4 million range. If Vatrano wants a richer/longer deal then he will be traded.

If they can get him for that then I will totally be happy with it.

But lets be honest, someone is going to offer him 5 mil in UFA, especially if he gets 30 goals again.

 

[duckpuck]

If they can get him for that then I will totally be happy with it.

But lets be honest, someone is going to offer him 5 mil in UFA, especially if he gets 30 goals again.

Agree on both fronts. He'll probably get a 4th year too.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Agree on both fronts. He'll probably get a 4th year too.

I'm thinking that he's getting a 20M contract

 

[duckpuck]

I'm thinking that he's getting a 20M contract

You very well could be right. Hopefully not from the ducks. That money is better spent on a top 6 winger. And I say that as someone who really likes Vatrano's game and sandpaper. I'd pay that for Vatrano if we didn't already have $$ committed to Killorn and Strome.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

You very well could be right. Hopefully not from the ducks. That money is better spent on a top 6 winger. And I say that as someone who really likes Vatrano's game and sandpaper. I'd pay that for Vatrano if we didn't already have $$ committed to Killorn and Strome.

If we can keep to to four years, I'd prefer to sign him. I don't see the AAV getting out of the fives and that's really going to be good third liner type money as the cap rises. I don't think it's a huge gamble expecting Frank to be a good third liner in four years. But yeah once you get into longer term, I get queasy for sure.

The Ducks basically see all of their older veterans expire within the next two years. I realize some will stay and some will be replaced in the form of young players becoming veterans, but it's an interesting situation. Gibson (2),Vatrano (UFA), Strome (2), Killorn (2), Trouba (1), Gudas (1), Fabbri (UFA), Dumoulin (UFA) - literally every single established veteran has short term commitment remaining on their deal with the exception of arguably our best player in Troy Terry. It doesn't mean you start throwing term around with reckless abandon, but it definitely lessens the concern about giving a guy like Frank a fair market value contract IMO. Need to keep veteran stability, show that you are building a team/program/culture and not just a collection of young players.

 

[Gliff]

I'm thinking that he's getting a 20M contract

Yup. 4x5 mil is what I expect.

 

[Kalv]

It would be absolutely insane for the Ducks to sign Vatrano.

Why?

 

[Gurglesons]

Why?

Why would they sign a 30 year old?

 

[MCB]

Why would they sign a 30 year old?

He's one of the few veteran contracts that's been good for us, we can't ice all 21 year olds plus Troy Terry. There has to be a point we stop selling everything off for picks, keep the good and usher out the bad.

Of our vets we brought in to insulate the kids, he's the one I'd want to resign. Killorn is showing his age, gudas has dropped off (I think the pressure of captain is too much, but that's a different conversation), strome has one good play for every five bad ones, and trouba is too early to say but so far I like what I see (cap doesn't matter to us at this point in time, so yeah his cap hit does not match his play, but right now it's more what he brings on the ice).

All that said, if he's a part of a trade for a better top 6 scoring winger, I'm all for it. We desperately need more scoring, so trading Frank for picks would only set us back imo.

Edit: Typo and clarity

 

[All Mighty]

Why would they sign a 30 year old?

Because he’s more valuable to the team than a 2026 2nd round pick. I’m not saying they should re-sign him no matter what, but I’m not sure I see a team offering something that would offset the value lost from taking Vatrano off the roster. If someone is willing to pay a 1st or a pretty good young player/prospect, then I’d be much more open to moving him.

 

[Gurglesons]

Because he’s more valuable to the team than a 2026 2nd round pick. I’m not saying they should re-sign him no matter what, but I’m not sure I see a team offering something that would offset the value lost from taking Vatrano off the roster. If someone is willing to pay a 1st or a pretty good young player/prospect, then I’d be much more open to moving him.

Because Vatrano is probably going for like a 4x4 contract. The Ducks should not touch that.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Vatrano will get traded.

Anaheim has the forward depth to let him go, and get an asset or two.

 

[All Mighty]

Because Vatrano is probably going for like a 4x4 contract. The Ducks should not touch that.

If the two options are 2026 2nd round pick or Vatrano at 4x4 with a soon to be $100M salary cap then that’s a pretty easy decision to keep him. The fact of the matter is Vatrano is the best goal scorer on a team that lacks goal scorers (and doesn’t really have any waiting to take his spot).

 

[Gurglesons]

If the two options are 2026 2nd round pick or Vatrano at 4x4 with a soon to be $100M salary cap then that’s a pretty easy decision to keep him. The fact of the matter is Vatrano is the best goal scorer on a team that lacks goal scorers (and doesn’t really have any waiting to take his spot).

Would be insane, but I guess be shocked when Frankie falls off a cliff and you're all complaining about his contract.

 

[BKarchitect]

I think he can get more than a 2nd if available. If he were shooting 13.6% like last year (and that’s not some crazy high bar), he’d be on pace for another 37 goal season. He’s got well below average shooting % and PDo right now. He still generates shots and chances and he’s useful on both special teams and he’s really strong for a short guy.

I don’t think 4x4 with a rising cap is crazy for him at all…if I’m the Ducks (or anybody), I’d sign up for that in a heartbeat to have a really versatile top six winger in the fold at that kind of cap hit.

I think Frankie V is a really underrated player and a ton of teams competing for the Cup would love to add him.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Vatrano will get traded.

Anaheim has the forward depth to let him go, and get an asset or two.

The team struggles badly to score, Vatrano is tied for their lead in goals. There's zero proven scoring depth in Anaheim, only him and Terry have ever scored more than 27 goals. Your statement is only true to the extent that they have forwards in the AHL they could call up - but moving their leading goal scorer is going to be a big hit to a roster that can't afford one. They have Vatrano now and yet their biggest need is for top six scoring help.

 

[tomd]

The team struggles badly to score, Vatrano is tied for their lead in goals. There's zero proven scoring depth in Anaheim, only him and Terry have ever scored more than 27 goals. Your statement is only true to the extent that they have forwards in the AHL they could call up - but moving their leading goal scorer is going to be a big hit to a roster that can't afford one. They have Vatrano now and yet their biggest need is for top six scoring help.

I would only say that this is Vatrano's last shot to cash in with a big contract. And quite honestly he probably deserves one in the 5x5 range. The question is whether or not Verbeek will give it to him. Time will tell.

 

[McDonald19]

Anaheim has the forward depth to let him go

Wait…what? Anaheim had forward depth?

 

[duckpuck]

He's one of the few veteran contracts that's been good for us, we can't ice all 21 year olds plus Troy Terry. There has to be a point we stop selling everything off for picks, keep the good and usher out the bad.

Of our vets we brought in to insulate the kids, he's the one I'd want to resign. Killorn is showing his age, gudas has dropped off (I think the pressure of captain is too much, but that's a different conversation), strome has one good play for every five bad ones, and trouba is too early to say but so far I like what I see (cap doesn't matter to us at this point in time, so yeah his cap hit does not match his play, but right now it's more what he brings on the ice).

All that said, if he's a part of a trade for a better top 6 scoring winger, I'm all for it. We desperately need more scoring, so trading Frank for picks would only set us back imo.

Edit: Typo and clarity

They have Killorn, Strome, Terry, Gudas and Trouba for the next two years (at least). Possibly Gibson too. I don't think you need another aging vet on the team. And I think the Ducks are stuck with Killorn/Strome.

 

[Skolman]

It won't happen, but I'd love it if the Oilers could convince Jeff Skinner to waive his NTC in a deal for Vatrano...

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Anaheim has the forward depth

Why aren't we using any of it? and where are they