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Who Will Be Exposed: Anaheim Ducks

January 16, 2021, 3:57 PM ET [3 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Seattle Kraken Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Hey everyone, sorry about the delay in Kraken blogs. There hasn't been much to discuss as every other team now gets to have fun playing games. We can still enjoy ourselves here and find other ways to pass the time though.

Today begins another in depth look at the 30 other teams who will take part in expansion, specifically looking at the players that have to be exposed by each franchise in order to meet Draft Expansion Requirements. This is not another expansion draft as I will not be claiming a player at the end of the blog, simply providing an overview of the players.

Today we start with the Anaheim Ducks. Here are the players I believe could be exposed, the meet the requirements.

FORWARDS

Adam Henrique/Jakob Silfverberg: I put these two together because I think Anaheim may decide to keep one over the other. Both are 30 years old and earning over 5 million dollars (Henrique 5.825, Silfverberg 5.25) until 2024. This summer Sam Steel, Isac Lundestrom, and Maxime Comtois will all be RFA and will take a chunk out of the Ducks cap. My money is own Henrique, opening the door for Zegras.

Sonny Milano: The 24 year old winger posted 5 points in 9 games for Anaheim last season coming over in a trade from the Blue Jackets. Milano did not play in the first game of the season for Anaheim however. At 1.7 million Milano is a cheap depth option is young enough that if the Ducks don't see him as part of their future he could be exposed.

Derek Grant: Pretty obvious Grant will be one of the two forwards exposed. The 30 year old 4th line centre plays a solid two way game but there are always options like him available in free agency and if he was selected the Ducks wouldn't lose much sleep over it.

Troy Terry: Will end up meeting requirements this season. Fans have been waiting for Terry to break out for some time and it still hasn't happened. At 23 years old he is still very young but if he fails to show much through a full season with the Ducks this year he may be exposed to protect someone else.

Nicolas Deslauriers: 29 year old signed for one year after this season. Physical fourth line role player.



DEFENSE

Kevin Shattenkirk: The 31 year old defenseman is signed for another two years at 3.9 million. I don't think may Ducks fans would argue that Fowler, Lindholm, and Manson will be the players protected by Anaheim. Shattenkirk is the perfect type of player to expose that will be enticing to Seattle but won't hurt the Ducks too much to lose.

Jacob Larsson: The young Larsson however is another story. The 23 year old left shot defenceman will likely play his first full season with Anaheim this season. Larsson skates well but hasn't yet come into his own as the defensive defenseman he was expected to be. He will be exposed but how well he does this year will gauge whether or not this will be a loss for the Ducks.

GOALIE

Anthony Stolarz: Easy choice for Anaheim. Gibson is their guy and Ryan Miller is a UFA at the end of this season and I don't see an extension in the works.

VERDICT

Anaheim ultimately won't have too many issues with exposing the needed players for the Seattle Expansion Draft. Up front Bob Murray can juggle and decide which of his young forwards are the most important to keep and still have the likes of Derek Grant and Nicolas Deslauriers as options.

On defense, Anaheim would likely be the happiest if Shattenkirk was the player selected but if Larsson has a breakout year, Anaheim may actually consider some kind of trade with Seattle to protect him.

For Anaheim, if they play their cards right I believe that this expansion draft could end up being a blessing, allowing them to get out of one of their more expensive contracts, allowing them to extend their future in the likes of Lundestrom, Comtois, and Steel.

Thanks for reading!
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