The Anaheim Ducks had themselves a night. They somehow used a patchwork lineup to knock of off the Western Conference leading St. Louis Blues 3-2 on Wednesday night.
And then.... this happened:
The Ducks finally traded Sami Vatanen! They found the perfect partner in the New Jersey Devils. They made a deal that can only be called fair and balanced. \ The Devils sent forwards Adam Henrique and Joseph Blandisi, plus their 2018 third-round pick, to the Anaheim for Vatanen and a conditional draft pick.
New Jersey can get the Ducks' 2019 third-round pick if Henrique re-signs in Anaheim prior to that Draft. If Henrique re-signs after, the Devils will get the Ducks' 2020 third-round pick. If Henrique does not re-sign in Anaheim, the Devils will not get a pick back. So much is happening right now.
We knew the Vatanen rumors were out there and I knew he was on New Jersey's radar, but Henrique AND Blandisi? Score!
Per Pierre Lebrun on Twitter:
Devils first kicked the tires on Vatanan back in June around expansion draft time but Anaheim made the Theodore trade with Vegas so it kind of went away... but once Ducks lost out on Duchene a few weeks ago, obviously things started to pick up again between NJ and Ana
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 30, 2017
No salary retained in the Devils-Ducks deal. Henrique/Vatanen salaries a wash for this year at $5 million cash each.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 30, 2017
The deal makes sense for both clubs with the Devils exceding expectations and in need of a defensive upgrade. Vatanen fits the bill. He's a telented right-handed shot that New Jersey has been desperate to find.
Meanwhile the Ducks had to find some offense elsewhere as the injuries piled up. Henrique is an excellent two-way play that can score goals. He was a fan-favorite in New Jersey because he's not only a great guy to the fans and in the community, but his game 6 OT goal eliminated the New York Rangers in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals.
The 27-year-old has four goals and 10 assists in 24 games and was one of three remaining Devils from that 2012 Stanley Cup Final team. The Ducks got a good one. He's a quality top three center with a 30-goal season on his resume. Not too shabby.
Blandisi has 26 points (8g 18a) in 68 NHL games with New Jersey. He hasn't played any games with the Devils this season, mostly because of the emergence of some of the New Jersey's other young players. He he's a big kid with offensive upside. He should find his way onto the NHL roster somehow.
In all, this deal addresses needs on both sides and the money is a wash. I say bravo for GM's Bob Murray and Ray Shero.
The win in St. Louis had to a catalyst for this deal because it A. proved that even a shorthanded Ducks team can beat the best and B. they need the forward depth and more scoring to remain relevant in the playoff picture. Trust me, the Ducks are very relevant at this moment. The quack pack is a single point out of the wild card and only two points behind San Jose for third in the Pacific Division.
Are we having fun yet? Steve