The Anaheim Ducks and the New Jersey Devils made a big splash in the NHL with an interesting trade they did on Thursday. The Ducks sent defenseman Sami Vatanen and a conditional draft pick to the Devils in exchange for forward Adam Henrique, forward Joseph Blandisi and a 2018 third-round pick.
After getting as far as the Western Conference finals last season, the Ducks have struggled so far, mostly due to injuries. Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, and Rickard Rakell are sidelined, while the team is missing the services of forward Patrick Eaves as well. The Ducks are now hoping that Henrique can fill in since their return, and also be useful afterward due to his versatility. The team currently has 27th ranked offense in the league and sits in the sixth position of the Pacific Division.
The player, on the other hand, was caught by surprise with the trade.
“It wasn’t something I was expecting,” – said Henrique after the trade. “With everything going on in Anaheim with the injuries, it just makes sense. I think the Devils have obviously been looking for a defenseman, and I think everything kind of came together the last day or two here.”
Henrique played 455 times for the Devils during his career and scored 123 goals while adding 133 assists. In 24 games of 2017–18 season, he contributed four goals and 10 assists.
The Devils, on the other hand, will increase their defensive depth with the addition of Sami Vatanen. He previously played in 280 regular season games in addition to 40 playoff appearances for the Ducks and contributed 38 points and 110 assists.
“In acquiring Sami, we bring on a right shot, top-four defenseman who can play in all situations,” – the Devils general manager Ray Shero said. “This move also gives us contract certainty on the back end for the next two-plus years.”
