Kerdiles Ready To Move On

Photo: Prohockeyrumors.com

By Michael Walters

Today the Anaheim Ducks traded forward Nicolas Kerdiles to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for center Chase De Leo.

De Leo was born in La Mirada, California and will be returning close to home. He scored 19 goals and had 21 assists as a rookie with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL in the 2015-16 season. In 2016-17, he posted 32 total points(14 G + 18 A) and last season he recorded 35 total points(12 G + 23 A). He appeared in two NHL games with the Jets during the 2015-16 season. He just finished out his entry-level deal last year where he made $875K.

Kerdiles has spent the last three seasons in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls. His best season was last year when he posted 34 total points(15 G + 19 A). He appeared in three NHL regular-season games with Anaheim(one in 2016-17 & two in 2017-18). He was paid $650K last year and was given a qualifying offer by Anaheim recently.

Kerdiles Ready To Move On

Kerdiles was drafted 36th overall in the 2012 NHL entry draft by Anaheim. Since then he mainly spent his playing time in the AHL with the Norfolk Admirals and San Diego Gulls. He was able to play a few games with the Ducks during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 regular seasons. He did also play four games in the 2016-17 NHL playoffs.

The word from the Kerdiles camp is that he is ready to move on from Anaheim. He didn’t feel like he would make the Ducks roster on a permanent basis and that it was time for a change in scenery. Injuries have slowed his play, but going to Winnipeg may do him good.

Kerdiles Issued This Statement On His Instagram

I want to first off thank the @anaheimducks for taking a chance on me. Being drafted and getting the opportunity to play for my hometown team has been such a blessing. Secondly, I want to thank the @sdgullsahl and the community in San Diego for welcoming me into your amazing city. It has been a pleasure to play in front of you Gulls fans and the city of San Diego will always be a second home to me. That being said.. Thank you @nhljets for giving me this opportunity and allowing me to be a part of this incredible organization. Excited to get to Winnipeg and start this next chapter in my life! #gojetsgo #winnipeg

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June 30th, 2018