NHL trade rumors: Why Anaheim Ducks could trade Ryan Strome before deadline frenzy

The Anaheim Ducks might not be making headlines as the NHL trade deadline approaches, but that does not necessarily mean they are not making moves. While other teams are in a frenzy of rumors and chaos, the Anaheim Ducks seem to be biding their time, choosing to strike when the time is right. And one player that is starting to build momentum around the league is veteran center Ryan Strome.

As the Anaheim Ducks become more and more invested in their youth movement, Strome’s playing time has continued to dwindle. While he was once a key part of the team’s leadership group in terms of scoring, that is no longer the case.

As Chris Johnston of The Athletic explained, the evolving situation around Ryan Strome makes him a legitimate trade candidate. Indeed, in Chris Johnston’s latest trade board that dropped on Monday, the veteran center Ryan Strome was pointed to as a player who could generate significant interest even if his production has cooled off slightly.

“The emergence of Anaheim’s higher-end forward talent has marginalized Strome’s impact on the lineup this season, and he’s seen a significant reduction in minutes as a result,” Johnston wrote. “Even with his production dipping, the Ducks should be able to find a taker for a center who has consistently produced at a rate higher than 0.5 points per game throughout his NHL career. Strome is a smart player capable of playing a quick game and is under contract for one more season beyond this one.”

The veteran center’s resume is precisely the kind of thing that contenders look for this time of year: experienced centers who can adapt to a fast-paced game and contribute to middle-six lines in the midst of the intensity that defines the NHL playoffs. Strome fits the bill.

But perhaps most notably, he is not a rental. Strome has a contract extension that extends beyond next season. This provides any team acquiring him with cost certainty and roster depth for two potential playoff runs. This is particularly relevant in a deadline market filled with short-term desperation.

For Anaheim, the trade makes sense. They are a team focused on building for the future. They have a young core of offense and are building assets to fit their window. Strome represents a trade opportunity to acquire a young player or assets to speed up their rebuild.

While Anaheim may not be the loudest team in trade rumors around the league this week, if Strome becomes available on the trade market, contenders thin on center depth will likely be calling quickly.

As the drama of the deadline builds around the league, Anaheim’s measured patience may prove to be one of the smartest moves of the week.