Cutter Gauthier and Joel Quenneville are entering a cap squeeze that could force Anaheim to trade established wingers before camp.
Gauthier remains unsigned as a restricted free agent after scoring 41 goals last season, putting Anaheim under pressure to create enough room for a long-term agreement.
The Ducks currently have $9,070,000 in reported cap space after matching Leo Carlsson's contract at an $18,000,000 annual hit. That has dramatically tightened their options.
Alex Killorn is one potential casualty. He carries a $6,250,000 cap hit in the final season of his deal and owns a 15-team no-trade list.
Chris Kreider may be more attractive on the market after producing 22 goals and 50 points during his first regular season with Anaheim.
Moving both veterans would clear $12,750,000 in additional space, giving Anaheim considerably more flexibility to finish Gauthier's contract and manage the rest of its roster.
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Three Ducks players could suddenly be on the trade block
Frank Vatrano is the third name drawing attention. His value took a hit after he finished last season with 5 goals and 9 points while dealing with a shoulder injury.
Unlike Killorn and Kreider, Vatrano has 2 seasons left on his contract. That could make finding the right trade partner more complicated after his offensive drop.
The Ducks don't necessarily need to move all three. The real decision is whether one contract creates enough breathing room or whether two veterans have to leave to protect the young core.
That is the fallout from matching Carlsson's offer sheet. Anaheim kept its young centre, but the $18,000,000 commitment immediately changed the leverage available to Gauthier.
Gauthier's camp can point toward his scoring production when discussing his value. Anaheim can counter with his restricted status, but leaving its leading goal scorer unsigned into camp creates its own problem.
And there is another young contract coming eventually, with Beckett Sennecke also moving closer to extension territory. Anaheim can't treat every cap decision as an isolated negotiation.
The Ducks wanted to keep their young stars together. Now they may have to remove established veterans to make the numbers work, putting Killorn, Kreider and Vatrano directly under the trade spotlight.
Source : Three Ducks players on the trade block after Cutter Gauthier's monster contract demands!
Should Anaheim trade Chris Kreider to make room for Cutter Gauthier?
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