Ducks’ Frank Vatrano Emerging As Trade Candidate

Holding trade protection as able to reject trades to seven clubs, Vatrano still has two years remaining on his deal which was signed at his peak as a player. At the time, the Massachusetts native had broken out in 2023-24 as a Duck with 37 goals, being named a 2024 NHL All Star. Vatrano continued his solid scoring pace into the following season which earned the January 2025 extension good for another three years. Moving on from Greg Cronin, now an assistant in St. Louis, Anaheim’s youth movement exploded this past season but it was Vatrano whose performance fell off. Under new head coach Joel Quenneville, Vatrano turned in a brutal 2025-26, scoring just five goals in 50 games, shooting 6.3%, far below his career average which is over 10%. 

In the regular season Vatrano averaged 11:49 a night, usage not seen since his early professional days as a Bruin. The typically solid secondary scorer was scratched in the playoffs, unable to get into a single one of Anaheim’s 12 postseason games. Bringing an excellent shot and high energy within his 5’11” frame, the winger has just one lost season dragging him down, and a fresh start could have him humming along again in no time. Any suitors banking on such a prompt return to a 20-goal level could be enticed in a buy-low opportunity. 

Needing to shed every last penny, a trade where Verbeek adds draft capital as a sweetener is the most likely scenario. Thankfully the Ducks have three 2027 second rounders to work with, two courtesy of trades on stars of their past era, Cam Fowler and John Gibson. It would be an asset painful to have to part with, but if the past few days are any indication, teams haven’t been so kind as to do favors for Verbeek. Moving Vatrano’s contract quickly may prove costly. 

Plenty of current low spending franchises would be content to take on as much as a second-round-pick along with the former 37-goal-scorer in a fresh start trade, such as Chicago or Seattle. If Vatrano has no interest in going there, Detroit and Columbus also stand out as teams who have needs up front while simultaneously lacking a second-round selection in the next draft. Even if they couldn’t pry such a high selection away, settling for less of a sweetener, Vatrano an intriguing enough player to take a shot on in a dry free agent class. 

Regardless of what Anaheim may have to dangle to entice trade partners for their struggling forward, it’s fascinating to consider the domino effect caused by the Flyers’ offer sheet. Left scrambling of late, the Ducks were thought to be on enviable ground this summer after their breakout campaign. Now they’re forced into difficult and costly decisions ahead, and Vatrano’s name is one to watch in their efforts to open up more breathing room on the salary cap front.

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