Anaheim Ducks: 3 Trades to Consider Ahead of 2023 Deadline

The Anaheim Ducks are one of the basement-dwelling teams in the NHL this season. General manager Pat Verbeek is looking to continue the rebuild and build the Ducks from the ground up. The team has a few cornerstone pieces in place and the search will continue for core players moving forward. Ahead of the March 3 trade deadline, let's dive into three trades to consider for Verbeek and the Ducks:

John Klingberg Must be Dealt

When Klingberg signed a one-year deal in Anaheim, it was to boost his value heading into next summer. He's managed to have a decent season so far in his first with the Ducks, recording 13 points in 34 games. Klingberg's no-movement clause is now a modified 10-team no-trade clause now that we've entered 2023. Look for Klingberg to be moved to either the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers or Seattle Kraken and expect to see at least a second-or-third round pick heading back the other way.

John Gibson to Buffalo

If the Ducks are going to rebuild properly, they need to move on from goaltender John Gibson and his $6.4 million cap hit through the 2026-27 season. The Sabres have a couple of young goaltenders who should be on the Ducks radar and Buffalo is getting close enough to playoff contention, they need a win-now netminder in place. This trade makes sense for both teams and should be under consideration.

Henrique, Vatrano, Shattenkirk and Kulikov on Radars

While Klingberg is a for sure, and Gibson is certainly a possibility, the likes of forwards Adam Henrique and Frank Vatrano, along with pending free-agent defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and Dmitry Kulikov will also be on team's trade radars. These aren't the type of players the Ducks need at the moment and management needs to cash in on some more prospects and draft picks to properly turn their focus to the future. Losing games will benefit the team down the stretch as the 2023 entry draft is loaded with high-end talent who could help the Ducks get back to contention in the future.

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