Welcome to the Hotstove! As always, I'm your host, Travis Yost.
At the trade deadline, the Anaheim Ducks were extremely active in trying to land a top-six center. Though the team showed moderate interest in Ottawa's Jason Spezza, it's unclear -- at least at the time -- if the Senators were truly making him available. However, Vancouver's Ryan Kesler was dangled, and based on reports, the Ducks made a serious offer or two to try and land the American pivot.
Anaheim's excellent regular season ended with a second-round exit to rival Los Angeles. Though the seven-game series loss probably still stings, I don't think there's any particular shame in losing there. The Kings are legitimate Stanley Cup contender; the Ducks aren't very far behind.
One of the things that's probably going to be talked about this off-season is how Anaheim gets over the proverbial hump, and whether or not that includes revisiting a potential Ryan Kesler trade. Courtesy the great Hope Smoke on Twitter, we have a transcribed interview with TSN's Bob McKenzie on Tuesday talking about a potential trade and whether or not Anaheim will come back to the negotiating table.
McKenzie "I don't know exactly what Ana offered for Kesler at the deadline"
— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) May 20, 2014McKenzie " but they are as equipped as any team to make that deal with Vancouver for Kesler"
— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) May 20, 2014McKenzie "I don't believe Smith-Pelly was a guy that was involved in the Ana-Kesler talks. I've heard Rakell. Van wanted a centre"
— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) May 20, 2014Hodge threw out the trade proposal of Etem, Smith-Pelly & a 1st for Kesler. Bob said he doesn't know about DSP, said Rakell more likely
— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) May 20, 2014I think the most fascinating thing, in the event that Anaheim does circle back on Ryan Kesler, will be weighing the pros and cons of trading Devante Smith-Pelley. Smith-Pelley was incredibly strong during the post-season, and very likely drew the eye of general managers around the league. I suspect that right now, his trade value has taken a large jump forward from where it was six months ago.
The other thing, if Bob McKenzie's talking from authority here, is that it sure seems like Swede Rickard Rakell could be on the way out if the package was put together to acquire the big piece -- in this case, Ryan Kesler. The 21-year old saw most of his time this year in the AHL, but he did get 18-games with the big league club, and four more in the playoffs.
So, today's question is a two-parter: One, do you revisit a potential trade for Ryan Kesler if you're Anaheim? If so, what are you putting together in the offer?
Poll/comment.