Anaheim Ducks Looking To Trade Ryan Kesler's Contract

On Elliotte Friedman's most recent 31 Thoughts Podcast, he stated that the Anaheim Ducks are open to trading Ryan Kesler's contract. A potential deal would likely be similar to the recent Brent Seabrook trade the Chicago Blackhawks made. In return, they of course received Tyler Johnson and a 2023 second-round pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning. They were able to secure a draft pick from the Lightning because they desperately needed cap space. Kesler, like Seabrook, will not play again, but would be placed on the LTIR. That is why Tampa Bay is able to afford Seabrook's deal, too.

With the Ducks rebuilding, this would be a smart thing to do if they can receive a similar draft pick for taking on a player with an overpaid contract. They are not going into next season with playoff aspirations and also have over $19 million of cap space to work with. Also, with the player in a potential return being healthy, he would be able to be inserted into the lineup, too.

We will have to wait and see if the Ducks are successful in trading Kesler's contract. In 1,001 career NHL games, Kesler scored 258 goals and recorded 573 points. He last played during the 2018-19 season and his contract expires after this season.