The Anaheim Ducks have swung a massive trade with the New Jersey Devils, dealing Sami Vatanen and a conditional third-round draft pick for Adam Henrique, Joseph Blandisi and a 2018 third-round pick. The deal immediately addresses the Ducks’ need at center, while Vatanen adds a huge piece to the Devils’ blueline. There is no salary retained by either side.
The conditions on the pick are as follows:
- If Anaheim signs Henrique to an extension prior to the 2019 draft, Anaheim will transfer their 2019 third-round pick.
- If Anaheim signs Henrique to an extension after the 2019 draft, Anaheim will transfer their 2020 third-round pick.
- If Anaheim does not sign Henrique to an extension before he becomes a free agent on July 1, 2019, no pick will be transferred.
This deal comes as an unexpected end to a long-standing expectation that Vatanen would eventually be moved out of Anaheim, as the Ducks are flush with defenders and had a hole up front. With injuries to Ryan Kesler and Ryan Getzlaf the center depth was tested this season, and was a clear spot for upgrade. Henrique is a versatile forward who can play both center and wing, giving the Ducks options once everyone is healthy.
The 27-year old forward is signed through next season at a $4MM cap hit, but is actually owed $5MM this season and $5.5MM in 2018-19. His relatively back-loaded contract allows the Ducks to acquire Blandisi as well without adding any cap to their books, as Vatanen carried a $4.875MM hit through 2019-20.
Interestingly, Vatanen’s partial no-trade clause was set to kick in next summer but as CapFriendly points out the Devils now actually have the option to void it. While teams generally try to honor the contract details given out by former employers, it could be in New Jersey’s best interest to get rid of that clause. Vatanen is an extremely valuable trade piece (as seen today) and could be flipped if the Devils aren’t competing quite as quickly as the early season has shown.
The 26-year old Vatanen will immediately fill a role with the Devils as a primary puck-mover, something he’s excelled at over his career. Along with Damon Severson, the team’s right-side now looks formidable as they try to return to the playoffs just a year after winning the draft lottery and picking first overall.
In Anaheim, Vatanen was an expendable piece because of the immediate impact Brandon Montour has made and the depth of their defensive pipeline. Though Shea Theodore was sacrificed in the expansion process, the Ducks still have Jaccob Larsson and Josh Mahura among other young prospects, not to mention Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm already leading the team.
Blandisi, 23, is not to be overlooked in the deal. Another potential center for the Ducks, the sixth-round pick has turned into quite the offensive player over the last few years. He exploded as an over-aged junior player in 2014-15 by scoring 52 goals and 112 points for the Barrie Colts, and has carried that skill over to the professional ranks. In 68 NHL games over the last two seasons he has 26 points, though he had been stuck in the minors this year.
Amazingly, the Devils were able to part with two talented forwards because of the emergence of other options up front. Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt have both made immediate impacts, allowing the team to move on from some of their old guard. With Taylor Hall once again playing to his superstar status, the team has more than enough firepower up front even without Henrique.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
This is a pretty bold trade for New Jersey. They aren’t exactly “deep” at centre though it addresses a big need on D.
They have a few interesting young guys coming up, but I agree it’s bold to move your most established center.
They have to 100% believe Nico is a top line centre right now because behind him, it’s not that great. Zajac is a solid C but he just came back from injury and hasn’t looked good. Brian Boyle is a great inspiration but a 3rd C(preferably 4th though). I hope it works out for them because they’ve been a joy to watch this year but I really don’t know on this one.
I just think the Devils overpayed for him. People outside of NJ don’t get to see Henrique much but he’s scored 91 goals over the past 4 years playing at least 75 games each season and averaging 43-45 points per season (while doing more playmaking than ever this season). He’s been a staple in a terrible offense that never really had a chance to shine. I think if they’d held out a little bit they could have included a lesser throw in then the very talented Blandisi. When Getzlaf and Kessler come back and Henrique is playing on a strong line in Anaheim, I think the Devils will find they lose this trade. Worse, if they decide to sell pieces if they fall off, Vatanen will be one of them and wind up going for a lesser player than Henrique alone.
I think Shero is putting a little too much stock in Bratt, Butcher and Hirschier to continue to produce at this level in 2017-2018. I’d like to see a bigger sample before we start taking top ice time guys out of the offense.
But I realize a lot of people love this trade for NJ and I’m hoping they are right.
As a ducks fan, it’s sad to see him go, but also sad that he’s just been outplayed by Manson and Montour. Vatanen was becoming a #5 defense man. Time will tell, but I think Anaheim came out on top
Ducks made a good trade
This is a classic example of a new GM coming in and undervaluing old talent… Blandisi and the draft swap were completely unnecessary. Henrique is a perennial 20-30 goal scoring center, a perfectly acceptable swap straight up for Vatanen. Anaheim will come out on the winning end of this deal and I find it likely Vatanen will be traded for lesser value when the Devils fall out of contention due to really missing Henrique’s contributions.
Not too happy with Shero this morning.
This is an intriguing deal for both clubs to say the least …… it would be interesting to know what other offers ANH had for Vatanen. I kind of feel like the Devils will win this deal in the long run, but Ducks win it short term.