Naslund leaves - Captain Arrives

[I wanna be like Miikka]

As stated in the Ducks thread title the other day, Naslund was not going to be a Duck for long. We were looking for a lateral swap on a vet of similar ratings, maybe a bit higher defensively and at a bit better of a contract and on Friday we were able to find that through one of the Ducks common trading partners, the Wild.

This deal was discussed briefly over a couple days and is a move that overall seems to be very even. Here is how it breaks down:

To the Wild:
Markus Naslund
Goligosky
NJ 2nd 08
2.5 mill this year

To the Ducks:
Ana 3rd 08
Saku Koivu


This seemed like a steep price to just make a lateral swap but when the guy you are getting is 2 years younger and 2.5 mil bless next year you can expect to have to pay up. Either way Grant is going to trade Naslund or Koivu before the start of next season so for him he gets some return now and another return later. The Ducks are glad to bring in a great leader in Koivu who immediately takes the role as team Captain. He is good defensively and can put the puck in the net, exactly the type of guy we like to see on the top line.

[Prototype]

Again, I miss out on a trade to think about it, and again, the player inquired about gets injured. First Koivu almost to the Rangers, and now Doan almost to the Ducks...

[JiriHrdina]

I think I should just trade players constantly - evertime I deal one they have a big final game.

Reality is that Koivu had really slowed down for us. Markus' first in stint was horrible but we hope he can do better this time. And we add a prospect we really like (and had before) in Goligoski and a 2nd rounder that's pretty high.