The Vancouver Canucks have traded defenseman Kevin Bieksa to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a second-round pick in 2016.
Canucks trade Kevin Bieksa to the Ducks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This move is a straightforward salary dump, as it’s a very low return for a defenseman of Bieksa’s caliber. Granted, the 34-year-old blueliner has declined in the past couple of seasons. Still, one would think the Canucks would’ve received a better return, perhaps a good young player or a prospect with the pick.
This trade clears Bieksa’s $4.6 million cap hit from the Canucks books, giving them over $8.2 million in cap space. I believe GM Jim Benning will use part of that to acquire a younger defenseman via trade or free agency.
Acquiring Bieksa means the Ducks won’t be re-signing UFA blueliner Francois Beauchemin. The 35-year-old Beauchemin logged lots of ice time and was seen as a mentor for the Ducks young defensemen. Bieksa will be stepping into some big skates for next season.
I called the ducks going after a dman couple weeks ago bieksa will help
Beauch would be a great fit with La or SJ.
…or Chicago.
Yes, but how? They have $1,421,540 in cap space to sign two more forwards and three more D if they want have a 23 man roster.Even if they can get rid of Bickell they still cannot afford Beauchemin.
why on earth would the ducks not resign buchemin until he cant play no more, the man is solid, experenced, professional…
I understand getting cheaper & younger, but do the ducks even have someone to replace him? why mess with a SC contending team at all in the first place?
sounds retarded to me
i mean isn’t bieksla same age, salary, type of player? is he any better?
One just has to look at the Ducks D to see they have guys already to replace him.
Totally agree.
Why give up an asset and sign Bieksa instead of Beauch?!?!
Was the half million such a sticking point?
Is Bieksa just that much funnier?
Something wierd over there. Maybe they need someone who can keep Kesler in line and away from team mate’s wives?
Or try and get Martin.
Just does not make sense.
According to all the armchair gms ib vancouver (i live in the market) Bieksa can’t play anymore.
he is not a top pairing guy, nor is he a solid number 3 guy anymore.
and injury prone. Too many tough minutes.
guy has a huge heart though and maybe thats what Anaheim needs to win it.?
Wierd.
perhaps Edmonton will see Beachamin as the veteran mentor for their young blue line.
Another brutal trade by Benning. Anaheim is 1 of the best teams in the NHL. A legitimate Presidents trophy & Cup contender. This 2nd round pick will be very late in the 2nd round & again in the range where players drafted rarely even see a cup of coffee in the NHL.
I get that Vancouver needs to move salary & Bieksa is the most logical to move but like moving Lack what’s the rush. We still have 3 months to address & surely better options would have appeared later when teams are shut out of a very shallow UFA pool at any position.
If your a Canucks fan you have to be concerned with Bennings 1st year at the helm. Coupled with Desjardins very questionable personal decisions against Calgary. Playing Weber & Sbisa to many minutes. Vrbata being 6th for ice time by forwards behind the likes of Hansen & Higgins! The Canucks won’t be transitioning any longer but have dropped out of playoff contention & may as well go full blown rebuild. These personal decisions a re mind boggling & not positive steps in helping to accumulate assets for a rebuild/transitioning.
Teams are getting better in the Pacific. Specifically Calgary & Edmonton. I not only see the Canucks missing the playoffs this season but being beaten by everyone in the Pacific but Arizona. Going to be interesting to watch how this effects the gate. Fans were already angry & game tickets were easy to acquire for any game & most at a significant discount to face value.