NHL Trade Rumors: 4 Anaheim Ducks Listed as Untouchable
The Anaheim Ducks will be sellers at the March 7th trade deadline. This we know. Names like Brian Dumoulin, Robby Fabbri and yes, Trevor Zegras have been out there on the rumor mill. But let's face it, those aren't the only Ducks players who are at risk of being moved for the right offer. For less than a handful, however, they would appear to be very safe. Eric Stephens of The Athletic has listed the following four Anaheim troops in his "Don't Bother Asking" category: i.e. Untouchable.Leo CarlssonJust a year and a half removed from being the No. 2 overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft, Carlsson hasn't exactly taken off in his second pro season, struggling this year with just nine goals and 19 points in 48 games. Even his ice time has dropped by more than two minutes per contest. But the team is going to continue to be patient with its talented pivot, and as Stephens notes, "None of it has changed the Ducks’ view of the 20-year-old Carlsson as an impact No. 1 center for years".Lukáš DostálThe 24-year-old Czech netminder has made a big leap this season into a legitimate starting goalie in the NHL, boosting his save percentage to a career-best .911 and lowering his goals-against average to another personal best of 2.86. Cutter GauthierThe former 5th overall pick was brought over in the stunning one-for-one trade with the Philadelphia Flyers last season for Jamie Drysdale. Still just 21, he has the size and skating ability to be a good one, and the Ducks aren't the least bit panicked about his underwhelming nine-goal rookie season. Jackson LaCombeNow here's a youngster who has exceeded expectations this season. LaCombe has emerged as a first-pairing capable defenseman, displaying huge growth in both his offensive and defensive capabilities. His plus/minus rating has gone from minus-24 last year to +2 this season, while he's already far outstripped his points total of his rookie year, with nine goals and 24 points in 47 games this campaign. None of those four are going anywhere at the trade deadline, as the Ducks continue to build around this 'core four', shall we say.Photo: © Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images...
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