The Anaheim Ducks were considered a team to watch heading into this year’s NHL Trade Deadline. They still are, but it’s now necessary to remove at least one name off the list of potential assets that could be moved. This is not to say a trade was in the works or even highly likely, but an injury to defenseman Hampus Lindholm means a traded is no longer an option.
If Lindholm could have recovered before this season’s deadline came, there was a chance he could have been dealt. At minimum, the Ducks were likely to listen to offers. But, because the injury he suffered (a fractured left wrist) will take six weeks to heal, the deadline will have come and gone.
Lindholm hurt his wrist on Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights. He was placed on the injured reserve list and his status was updated on Thursday. He is expected to make a full recovery, but the Ducks won’t be able to do much except wait. From there, if the team is still looking to move him and his $5.2 million contract, it will have to happen in the offseason or next year.
He Would Have Been An Interesting Target
His price point might have been too high for some teams, but if a club was looking to add a blueliner that had one more season on his current deal, Lindholm might have attracted some attention this season. Still only 27, he’s a consistent defender who plays major minutes and has solid underlying numbers.
There isn’t a surplus of available defensemen teams would consider high end and capable of being a difference maker in the postseason. It’s the reason someone like Mattias Ekholm is rated so highly on most insider trade bait boards.
The money would have been a potential issue, but the Ducks might have been willing to retain some salary, in the right situation.
The News Gets Worse for the Ducks
Losing Lindholm for six weeks is just more bad news on top of already bad news. The team sits in last place in the Honda West Division and have lost eight straight games. It’s clear the team will be sellers and it’s not helpful that assets you might consider selling now have an out of order sticker on them.
That said, there’s still bound to be speculation when it comes to names like Rickard Rakell, Ryan Getzlaf, Adam Henrique, Cam Flower and Jakob Silfverberg.
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