Фрэнк Ватрано может быть обменян из «Анахайма» из-за предложения от «Филадельфии»

With the Anaheim Ducks off-season taking a sudden and unexpected turn, Frank Vatrano could be next impacted in the wake of recent news. According to The Fourth Period’s Summer Trade Watch List 3.0, he may be the “odd man out”. Already thought to be a possible trade candidate, the veteran perhaps must be moved sooner rather than later. Marching along into free agency as a playoff team among the richest in cap space, Friday’s offer sheet given by Philadelphia on Leo Carlsson has forced their hand to make the young star the highest-paid player in the league if they’re to keep him in Orange County. Anaheim hurried to lock up Pavel Mintyukov today before another offer sheet dropped onto GM Pat Verbeek’s desk, agreeing on a five-year pact worth $7.2MM per season. Both players are crucial young pieces they can’t afford to lose, but Carlsson and Mintyukov’s salaries jumping from entry level to over $25 million combined is an unbelievable development. Having lost several pieces on the back end in John Carlson, Jacob Trouba, Olen Zellweger, and captain Radko Gudas, there’s still work to be done even assuming Carlsson’s shocking ticket is matched. Not to mention, the Ducks’ leading scorer Cutter Gauthier also remains a restricted free agent, thankfully for them, not eligible for an offer sheet himself. With all of this in mind, suddenly Vatrano’s $4.57MM cap hit would be much better utilized elsewhere. Rather than have the chance at a bounce-back season in Anaheim, the team may be forced to make a move on him now despite trade value as low as ever. For what it’s worth, the undrafted forward isn’t the only veteran on the team with a questionable price tag, as Chris Kreider and Alex Killorn combine for $12.75MM against the cap next season. However, both are more trusted as supporting cast for the Ducks and have maintained top six usage, again speaking to Vatrano’s position as the “odd man out”. Holding trade protection as able to reject trades to seven clubs, Vatrano still has two years remaining on his deal which was signed at his peak as a player. At the time, the Massachusetts native had broken out in 2023-24 as a Duck with 37 goals, being named a 2024 NHL All Star. Vatrano continued his solid scoring pace into the following season which earned the January 2025 extension good for another three years. Moving on from Greg Cronin, now an assistant in St. Louis, Anaheim’s youth movement exploded this past season but it was Vatrano whose performance fell off. Under new head coach Joel Quenneville, Vatrano turned in a brutal 2025-26, scoring just five goals in 50 games, shooting 6.3%, far below his career average which is over 10%. In the regular season Vatrano averaged 11:49 a night, usage not seen since his early professional days as a Bruin. The typically solid secondary scorer was scratched in the playoffs, unable to get into a single one of Anaheim’s 12 postseason games. Bringing an excellent shot and high energy within his 5’11” frame, the winger has just one lost season dragging him down, and a fresh start could have him humming along again in no time. Any suitors banking on such a prompt return to a 20-goal level could be enticed in a buy-low opportunity. Needing to shed every last penny, a trade where Verbeek adds draft capital as a sweetener is the most likely scenario. Thankfully the Ducks have three 2027 second rounders to work with, two courtesy of trades on stars of their past era, Cam Fowler and John Gibson. It would be an asset painful to have to part with, but if the past few days are any indication, teams haven’t been so kind as to do favors for Verbeek. Moving Vatrano’s contract quickly may prove costly. Plenty of current low spending franchises would be content to take on as much as a second-round-pick along with the former 37-goal-scorer in a fresh start trade, such as Chicago or Seattle. If Vatrano has no interest in going there, Detroit and Columbus also stand out as teams who have needs up front while simultaneously lacking a second-round selection in the next draft. Even if they couldn’t pry such a high selection away, settling for less of a sweetener, Vatrano an intriguing enough player to take a shot on in a dry free agent class. Regardless of what Anaheim may have to dangle to entice trade partners for their struggling forward, it’s fascinating to consider the domino effect caused by the Flyers’ offer sheet. Left scrambling of late, the Ducks were thought to be on enviable ground this summer after their breakout campaign. Now they’re forced into difficult and costly decisions ahead, and Vatrano’s name is one to watch in their efforts to open up more breathing room on the salary cap front. Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images More must-reads: Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!