Anaheim Ducks Make a Splash of Trades


The Anaheim Ducks made a splash of trades on day two of the NHL Draft. The Ducks started out the day by trading Kyle Palmieri to the New Jersey Devils for a 2nd round draft pick and a 2016 3rd round draft pick. Palmieri had 14 goals and 29 points in 57 games this season. He had set a career high with 31 points in the 2013-2014 season. 

Anaheim wasn't finished there. They traded Emerson Etem and a 2nd round draft pick to the New York Rangers for RFA Carl Hagelin and the 59th and 179th picks in this year's draft. Etem, who is set to become an RFA on July 1, was selected 29th overall in the 2010 draft by Anaheim. He scored 31 points in 112 games, all with the Ducks. Hagelin, who was a 6th round draft pick in the 2007 draft, scored 130 points in 266 games, all with the Rangers. Both players will provide depth for the team they were traded to if they sign during free agency.

Anaheim also traded James Wisniewski to the Carolina Hurricanes for goaltender Anton Khudobin. James Wisniewski was ascquired by the Ducks at last year's trade deadline. He scored 29 points in 56 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets before being traded. He managed only 5 points in 13 games with Anaheim after the trade. The 31 year old defenseman has 2 years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.5 million. 

Khudobin, who is 29 years old, has a .919 save percentage in 91 NHL games split between the Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild. He has one year left on his contract at $2.25 million. The Ducks made moves to free up cap space and add key depth players with veteran experience.