The Anaheim Ducks are surging in the Western Conference standings and heading towards the trade deadline, the team could consider making moves to upgrade the roster for the playoffs.
The Ducks have gone 8-1-1 over their last 10 games and the team now is second in Pacific division behind the Los Angeles Kings. The team has a strong roster heading into the back stretch of the season, but general manager Bob Murray may want to add some more depth up front, according to The Fourth Period. The website reports that the Ducks could be interested in acquiring Hurricanes winger Kris Verseteeg or Bruins left wing Loui Eriksson at the trade deadline.
The Hurricanes are close to a playoff spot, but according to Luke DeCock at the Raleigh News & Observer, the team could consider trading veterans like Verseteeg or Eric Staal. Versteeg is expected to be a main target at the trade deadline, while Eriksson could be moved if he does not sign a new contract. Eriksson is in the last year of his deal and without an extension with the Bruins, he could be traded by the end of the month.
If the Ducks want to make a major move at the deadline, the team has some assets to move. According to the Orange County Register, the Ducks could use goalie Frederik Andersen as "trade bait" at the deadline. The team has John Gibson on a three-year extension moving forward and with Andersen in the final year of his deal at just $1.3 million, he could be an attractive target for teams.
Andersen has been playing well in his last stretch of games, winning six of his last eight starts and that could make him even more of a target at the deadline. The Ducks have already pulled off a notable move ahead of the deadline, as the team traded forward Carl Hagelin to the Penguins last month for forward David Perron. The deadline is February 29 and the team could continue to look at moves leading into the end of the month.