The Anaheim Ducks have traded defenseman Sami Vatanen and a conditional draft pick to the New Jersey Devils for forwards Adam Henrique and Joseph Blandisi, and a 2018 third round pick.
Chris Ryan: Draft pick conditions: “if Henrique re-signs prior to the 2019 NHL Draft, Devils get Ducks’ 2019 third rounder. If he re-signs after that draft, Devils get 2020 third rounder. If Henrique doesn’t re-sign with Ducks, Devils don’t get a pick”
The 26-year old Vatanen was drafted 106th overall in the fourth round of the 2009 draft by the Ducks. He carries a $4.875 million cap hit.
The 27-year old Henrique was drafted 82nd overall in the third round of the 2008 draft by Devils. He carries a $4 million cap hit.
The 23-year old Blandisi was drafted 162nd overall in the sixth round of the 2012 draft by the Avalanche.
Thoughts from the media …
Tom Gulitti: “Devils are getting better every day. They actually had some forward depth now to make this deal. I think Henrique will thrive in Anaheim. Ducks are beat up injury-wise now, but they’ll be in playoffs.”
Gus Katsaros: “I love Vatanen addition here. Devils get a superb puck mover.”
Dimitri Filipovic: “I might be more skeptical of Vatanen at 5v5 than most, but he’s a legit talent and he plays the way the Devils want to as a team. This checks out for both teams.”
Jason Gregor: “Early morning trade. I like it for both teams. Ducks needed help down middle now with Getzlaf and Kesler on IR.”
Tom Gulitti: “Also, Joe Blandisi will get a chance in Anaheim that it looked like he wasn’t going to get in NJ.”
Mike Morreale: “Vatanen is signed for two more seasons after this season, at a $4.875 million salary cap hit. He’s an aggressive, puck-moving Finn. Henrique was a big voice/leader in the locker room. He will be missed, but Devils needed to sure up their blue line.”
Eric Engels: “Had a Devils forward tell me last year–don’t think it was a secret–that they couldn’t move a puck up the ice. Enter Will Butcher and now Sami Vatanen. That’s good work by Ray Shero.”
Cap Friendly: “#Devils player – Sami Vatanen has 3 years remaining @ $4.875M cap hit (UFA at expiry) #Ducks players – Adam Henrique has 2 years remaining @ $4.0M cap hit (UFA at expiry) – Joseph Blandisi has 2 years remaining @ $680K cap hit (RFA at expiry)”
Natural Stat Trick: “On the other side, Adam Henrique is having the lowest G/60 and P1/60 pace of his career. Also 2nd fewest GV/60, 3rd most TK/60 and career high S/60, iCF/60, iSCF/60 and iHDCF/60 and (by far) the lowest SH% of his career. Points will come.”
Mike Kelly: “The Devils have had issues moving the puck up ice for a while – Vatanen will help in this area. New Jersey’s ranks this season breaking out of their own end….”
Dobber Hockey: Sami Vatanen has missed at least 11 games in four consecutive seasons. When playing this year, he’s seen 55.9% of available ANA PP time.
Dan Rosen: “Vatanen could be a huge get for the Devils, who needed to bolster their back end. Solid top-4 righty D. Considering Butcher, Greene and Moore are lefties, that’s big. Severson and Vatanen now Devils two righties in top-4.”
Anthony Petrielli: “If Anaheim can ever get healthy they might be the most complete team in the league. Great goalie, depth on defense, Getzlaf-Kesler-Henrique down the middle.”
Brennan Klak: “NJ gets the puckmover D they desperately needed, Sami Vatanen’s name had been out there for a while now. Can he handle tough minutes? We’ll see. Ducks when healthy can go with a Getzlaf, Kesler, Henrique C core. Helps them now too.
Sami Vatanen
Adam Henrique
Adam Blandisi