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One Anaheim Ducks center is drawing attention from various clubs around the league, according to a notable insider.
The Anaheim Ducks have been this season’s biggest revelation. It seems their rebuild has turned a corner to the point where they look poised to return to the playoffs.
Unlike the Chicago Blackhawks or Seattle Kraken, they’ve managed to sustain their strong starts. But the strong start doesn’t preclude the Ducks from selling off some pieces this season. In particular, one Anaheim center has drawn interest from various clubs around the league.
That center is Ryan Strome.
As the Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta noted, the Ducks have been getting calls on Strome. The interest lies essentially in the lack of playing time the veteran forward has seen this season.
Pagnotta noted:
“I think Ryan Strome’s name’s been out there a little bit, just primarily…from a usage perspective.”
The comments, as uttered during the December 22 edition of DFO Rundown, highlight that the Ducks don’t really have much use for Strome at this point.
The Ducks forward has played in 19 games this season. However, his ice time has dropped dramatically. For instance, he played just a shade under 11 minutes in his last game against the Kraken. On December 15, Strome saw just 9:16 against the New York Rangers.
That situation has driven the interest from teams needing a center to inquire about Strome. It’s worth noting that Strome is in the fourth year of a five-year deal. His contract carries a $5 million cap hit.
If the Ducks end up moving Strome, there might be some retention involved.
Ducks Might Get Decent Return for Strome
The Ducks could get a decent return for Strome, should they choose to trade him. If the Phillip Danault trade serves as any precedent, the Ducks could land a relatively high draft pick and/or a mid-tier prospect.
The Montreal Canadiens paid a second-round pick for Danault. So, it’s fair to assume that the Ducks’ asking price could be something like a second-rounder. However, if there is salary retention, the price would certainly go up. Perhaps a prospect could get the deal over the line.
It may seem like a steep price to pay for Strome, who’s pretty much at depth forward at this point. But then again, the market is devoid of serviceable NHL centers. So, that may be the going rate for Strome.
Anaheim Might Still Hold on to Strome
Another possibility is that the Ducks simply hold on to Strome. All clubs need depth. And given how the Ducks project to be a playoff team this season, they’ll need all the depth they can get. That’s why holding on to Strome could be a worthwhile alternative.
The Ducks will likely decide what to do about Strome as the season heads closer to the Olympic break. By then, the majority of pretenders will become evident. That would leave the contenders to sort out what players may be available.
If the Ducks remain willing to part with Strome, the club could recoup valuable assets to further their playoff push this season. In the meantime, rumors aren’t going away anytime soon.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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