Ducks Acquire Dumoulin; Another Trade Coming?

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The first day of NHL free agency came and went. Almost every team signed new players to help improve their roster, which the exception of one, the Anaheim Ducks. General Manager Pat Verbeek did bring back Brett Leason and Urho Vaakanainen both on one year deals, but overall it was a quiet day in Orange Country without any new acquisitions. Verbeek tried to sign free agents Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. The Ducks made “big offers” to both players according to the Athletic, but they both decided to go to Nashville.

On day two of free agency, the Anaheim Ducks announced two moves they made. Anaheim signed forward Jansen Harkins to a two-year contract.  They also traded a 2026 fourth round draft pick to Seattle for defenseman Brian Dumoulin.

In addition the San Diego Gulls signed four players. Center Ryan Carpenter and defenseman Roland McKeown were both signed to two year standard player contracts(SPCs) through 2025-26. Defensemen Anthony Costantini and Dillon Heatherington were both signed to one-year SPCs for next season.

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Jansen Harkins, 6’2″, 197 lbs, Center, Shoots Left

He appeared in 45 games with Pittsburgh last season recording 4 assists with a -4 on ice rating. He also played 14 games in the AHL last season recording 12 total points (5 G + 7 A). Harkins plays with energy and is willing to make hits on opposing players. Back in February he laid a hit on Jamie Drysdale knocking him out of the game. He has a decent defensive game, but a limited offensive game. He will likely play on the fourth line in Anaheim and try to fill the void of Sam Carrick. Overall he is a depth signing and if he doesn’t work out, then he could end up spending more time in San Diego this season.

Haskins signed a one-way two year deal worth $775k for the first year and 800K for the second year according to Eric Stephens.

Brian Dumoulin, 6’4″, 207 lbs, Defenseman, Shoots Left

He played 80 games last season with Seattle posting 16 total points (6 G + 10 A). He played in 546 in the 10 previous seasons with Pittsburgh recording 139 total points (19 G + 120 A). His career on ice rating is +96 and he averages just over 20 minutes of ice time per game. He is good on the penalty kill and has a decent offensive upside with his solid passing and play making abilities. Dumoulin will help the blue line in a top 4 role.

Dumoulin has one year left on his contract, which is worth $3.15 million.

The question now is another trade looming with the Ducks blue line? Verbeek bought in a top four defenseman, but added another lefty to an already crowded left handed blue line. Could he use one of them to trade for a top six forward that is he looking to add?

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July 2nd, 2024