Anaheim Ducks eyeing Trade for Ryan strome Amid Rebuild
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As the NHL trade deadline approaches, the Anaheim ducks find themselves in a unique position. Known primarily for their pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Brian Dumoulin and goaltender John Gibson, the Ducks are also considering moving center Ryan Strome. Strome, signed through the 2026-27 season at a $5 million cap hit, has emerged as a potential trade asset.
According to Chris Johnston of TSN and The Athletic,Strome could be on the move. While Anaheim has a thin center market, Strome offers a decent middle-six option on a competitive team. However, his defensive acumen is lacking, and he often struggles in the faceoff dot. Despite these shortcomings, Strome’s secondary offensive production makes him a safer option compared to younger players like Ryan Donato.
Strome’s role within the Ducks has become somewhat murky following the recent three-year extension of veteran winger Frank vatrano. This extension suggests a focus on developing younger prospects, which could limit Strome’s future with the team. Still, with critically important cap increases on the horizon, the Ducks have some versatility in their financial planning.
Moving Strome for a substantial return will likely require general manager Pat verbeek to retain some salary. The Ducks have already used one of their three retention slots on defenseman Cam Fowler,who will count against their books at a $2.5 million cap hit through 2025-26 after being traded to the blues in December.
The 31-year-old Strome is currently in the third season of a five-year, $25 million pact signed with Anaheim in free agency in 2022. Since arriving in Orange County, he has maintained a 0.52 points per game rate, with increased production in the 2024-25 season. He has recorded 7-23–30 through 54 games, marking his best per-game production since joining the Ducks. Notably, Strome is also experiencing an uncharacteristically strong defensive campaign, with a minus-four rating and a 47.6 CF% at even strength,both of which are his best in Anaheim.
Key Player Statistics
| Player | Position | Goals | Assists | Points | CF% | Rating |
|—————–|———-|——-|———|——–|—–|——–|
| Ryan Strome | Center | 7 | 23 | 30 | 47.6| -4 |
| Brian Dumoulin | Defenseman| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| John Gibson | Goaltender| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Frank Vatrano | Winger | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cam Fowler | Defenseman| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
As the Ducks navigate their rebuild, the potential trade of Ryan Strome could be a pivotal move. With a mix of established talent and promising prospects, Anaheim is poised to make strategic decisions that will shape their future. Stay tuned for more updates as the trade deadline approaches.
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Anaheim Ducks Eyeing Trade for Ryan Strome Amid Rebuild
As the NHL trade deadline approaches, the Anaheim Ducks find themselves in a unique position. Known primarily for their pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Brian Dumoulin and goaltender John Gibson,the Ducks are also considering moving center Ryan Strome. Strome, signed through the 2026-27 season at a $5 million cap hit, has emerged as a potential trade asset.
Interview with NHL Insider, John Davidson
We sat down with John Davidson, a specialist on NHL trade dynamics, to discuss the potential trade of Ryan Strome and its implications for the Anaheim Ducks.
Current Performance and Trade Potential
Senior Editor: John, Ryan Strome has been performing well this season, especially defensively. Can you provide some insights into how this might affect his trade value?
John Davidson: Yes, Ryan strome’s defensive performance has been a pleasant surprise. His minus-four rating and 47.6 CF% at even strength are career bests since joining the Ducks. This improved defensive play makes him a more attractive trade asset, as he’s no longer just a high-risk, high-reward offensive player. Teams looking for a balanced middle-six center will find Strome appealing.
Financial Considerations
Senior Editor: With the recent extension of Frank Vatrano and the need to retain salary for a ample return, how do you see the financial aspect of a potential Strome trade playing out?
John Davidson: Anaheim will likely need to retain some salary to facilitate a trade. They’ve already used one of their three retention slots on Cam Fowler, but they have the cap space to absorb a portion of strome’s $5 million cap hit. This versatility allows them to target a more significant return, which could include prospects or draft picks.
Impact on Ducks’ Rebuild
senior Editor: How do you think a trade involving Ryan Strome will impact the Ducks’ rebuild? Will it set them back or accelerate their progress?
John Davidson: A trade involving Strome could be a pivotal move for the Ducks. By moving him, they can free up cap space and acquire assets that will help them in the long run. This trade could accelerate their rebuild by bringing in young talent or draft picks that can contribute to the team’s future success. Additionally, it allows Anaheim to focus on developing their promising prospects.
Future Prospects
Senior Editor: With the recent extension of Frank Vatrano and the focus on developing younger prospects, what does the future hold for Ryan Strome in Anaheim?
John Davidson: The recent extension of Frank Vatrano suggests a focus on developing younger prospects, which could limit Strome’s future with the team. However,his strong performance this season has shown that he can still contribute substantially to a competitive team. If traded, Strome will likely find a new home where he can continue to excel and make an impact.
Conclusion
Senior Editor: John, what are the main takeaways from our discussion on the potential trade of Ryan Strome?
John davidson: The main takeaways are that Ryan Strome’s improved defensive play makes him an attractive trade asset, the financial aspects of a potential trade are manageable for the Ducks, and a trade involving Strome could significantly impact the Ducks’ rebuild. this move has the potential to accelerate the Ducks’ progress and bring in valuable assets for the future.