The Anaheim Ducks' Most Valuable Trade Pieces

The Ducks have had a tremendous start to their season. A team that was written off going into last summer, they have come together around their young talent and taken off in a big way. Currently sitting first in the Pacific division, the Ducks aren't likely to be sellers at the deadline, but some pieces may get moved to help their chances of going on a playoff run. Here are the most valuable items they could use in trading for a rental.

Max Comtois

The Ducks' 50th-overall selection in 2017, Comtois had a breakout season last year, scoring 16 goals and 33 points in 55 games. However, his decline has been sharp this season. On a squad where a ton of young players are having breakout success, Comtois has regressed to just 3 assists in 14 games. Injuries haven't helped, he needed hand surgery towards the end of November and was just activated off of IR today. That said, there are teams that would be willing to take a chance on the young winger, currently only 22-years old, and he could be used as a sweetener to bring a more established player to Anaheim.

Adam Henrique

The simple truth is that Adam Henrique makes too much money. While his play has dramatically improved from last season, he currently has 6 goals and 16 points in 24 games, his $5.825 million contract is a big payout that is affecting the Ducks' ability to sign free agents, or at the very least hang on to their RFAs. Henrique's tenure with the Ducks looked to be at an end last summer, but the team's resurgence, along with his own, has given him some renewed value for the club. That said, there are teams that would be willing to take on his salary - or at least a portion of it - to fill out their middle 6, and the Ducks aren't as reliant on Henrique for production anymore. He won't fetch a huge return, but he'll buy the Ducks some additional cap room next summer, along with a draft pick or two.

Hampus Lindholm

This one could go either way. Lindholm is having another good season with the Ducks. Although he isn't producing a ton in the points column, his shutdown style of play has helped the Ducks to close out several tough games. Lindholm is a veteran defenceman at this point in his career, but at 27-years old he's hardly on the verge of retirement. What he is is on the verge of is being a UFA, and the Ducks likely won't be able to afford him come next summer. It's a question of how far Jeff Solomon thinks his team can go in the playoffs. If he believes they have a shot at contention, then Lindholm will stick around. If the Ducks fall off in the back half of the season, Lindholm will fetch some high-value pieces on the trade market, and it will save the Ducks from losing him for nothing in the offseason.

1st-Round Pick

Of course, if the Ducks plan to go on a playoff run, their 1st-round pick will be in play. What will almost certainly be a selection in the back half of the first round, the pick could instead be used to acquire a rental player to help push the Ducks over the top. Obviously, the 1st-rounder alone won't be able to bring in much, but when added in combination with another piece on this list, there are a number of teams that will be interested in what Anaheim has to offer them.

Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports