Todd Cordell
I think this is a fairly even deal but I'm going to give the slight edge to Anaheim.
The Ducks are struggling mightily to score goals right now and Garbutt has proven to be an effective contributor in the bottom-6.
He scored 25 goals and tallied 57 points in two seasons prior to this one and I doubt that talent dried up over night.
History tells us Sekac will make a larger impact in the possession game while Garbutt is more likely to fill the net.
Ed Stein I think Chicago may have won this one, by a slight edge.
Adding Garbutt puzzles me a bit; the Ducks have a slew of bottom six LWs. It was clear that Sekac was out of favor in Anaheim, but what does another "grinder" add to this team? The only reason I see GM Bob Murray doing this deal is because Garbutt will probably earn less money next season than Sekac, who is a pending RFA.
Sekac can be invisible on the ice many nights, but the reason why I believe Chicago has an edge in the deal is because of potential. Sekac has shown some skill with the puck. On a team with more finishers, his skill set could fit in very well.
John Jaeckel Winnipeg.
Seriously, Chicago, And I'm not being a homer.
This move basically subtracts a player who has been in Joel Quenneville's doghouse since arriving in Chicago, and one remaining year on his contract, for an expiring contract on a fast, skilled forward who hasn't put it all together elsewhere—but might in Chicago. If not, the Hawks can cut their losses with a million dollar cap savings after the season. Low-risk, possibly high reward move.
Jason Lewis Win-Win.
Sekac goes to a system more dependent on speed and skill, Garbutt goes to a system that is more inclined to play heavy, rough, and and edgy style.
As far as getting a proven NHL player, I think the Ducks got the better of it there. Sekac has not played consistently enough yet, but the opportunity is much better for him in Chicago than it was in Anaheim, or even Montreal for that matter.
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