As a playoff bubble team, The Anaheim Ducks may be losing some franchise players before the deadline. Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell are both on the last leg of their six-year deals, and with the Ducks not being a Stanley Cup contender, a trade is likely in their future.
Anaheim was on a trajectory for their second Stanley Cup when two Swedes, Rickard Rakell and Hampus Lindholm, joined the team. From 2014 to 2018, The Ducks were one of the best teams in the West. During that stretch, Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler did a lot of the heavy lifting, but Lindholm and Rakell were the difference makers on that team; they were the personality and the glue needed to take that team from good to great. Never captains during that stretch, but Lindholm and Rakell made up one of the most electric lines in hockey. Getzlaf and Kesler took care of business, playing clean traditional hockey, and the Swedes would play fast and fun. Fans never knew when Rakell would do something they’d never seen before.
The playoff runs this team had were electric. There were moments like the Ducks scoring three goals in the third period against the Oilers or overcoming the elimination game curse, and who could forget sweeping the division rival Flames in 2017.
Turning Things Over
Despite the nucleus of the team staying consistent, things fell apart after the 2017-18 season. The Ducks got rid of a few key role players to promote some young guns. It has been an exciting rebuild as the Ducks have slowly turned over the team while keeping the core intact. With the squad almost ready for primetime, it makes sense to move the vets for some young capital, reassess things in the offseason, and fill in the holes with the newfound cap space. While fans will be sad to see some of their favorite players on the move, the future is undoubtedly bright.
The Ducks’ young talent is highlighted by Trevor Zegras and Sonny Milano, who could be the American replacements for the Swedish boys. This is Zegras’ first full season in the League, and he is already making waves. He showed out at the skills competition in Vegas, and back in December, he had one of the craziest assists I’ve ever seen in my life. Fans should also be on the lookout for Lukas Dostal who could be a great predecessor to John Gibson.
If Rakell and Lindholm are traded, it will be the end of one of the most fondly viewed but unsuccessful eras in sports. However, it will mark the beginning of what could be one of the best eras in Anaheim hockey history.
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