Dumoulin Traded To New Jersey

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks traded Brian Dumoulin to the New Jersey Devils per multiple reports this morning. In exchange the Ducks received a conditional 2nd round pick(better pick of either Edmonton or Winnipeg) in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and prospect Herman Traff. Anaheim is retaining half of Dumoulin’s salary from the rest of the season.

General Manager Pat Verbeek on the trade:

“Brian was good for us both on and off the ice, and we wish him well in New Jersey. This wasn’t an easy decision for us. We do feel this allows more opportunity for our young defensemen, who have proven they can play and succeed at the NHL level.”

Analysis:

This is a good trade for Anaheim for several reasons. The Ducks originally acquired Dumoulin from Seattle for a 2026 4th round draft pick. Pat Verbeek was able to upgrade that to a 2nd round draft pick for the 2025 draft. Anaheim will also retain half of the $3.15 million dollar cap hit, but only until the end of the season as Dumoulin was set to be a UFA.

An area of concern for the Ducks blue line this season has been the issue of having seven defensemen, which led to three of the upcoming players being rotated out of the lineup. Drew Helleson, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger haven’t been able to play full time because Dumoulin was playing every night along side with the other veterans Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba. Jackson LaCombe emergence this season has solidified his spot on the blue line as well. With this move the young players will now get the ice time they need to develop properly.

Anaheim also picked up prospect Herman Traff. He is a big kid at 6’3″ and 216 pounds. The book on him is he is a fast skater, solid forechecker, and is willing to make big hits. He plays hard and physical which matches Pat Verbeek’s style he is looking for in a player. He also fits the bill of being a power forward with a decent two-way game. He does need to find more consistency in his offensive game. He has three goals and three assists in 25 games and also 29 penalty minutes playing for HV71 in the SHL this season. He could end up being a decent bottom six depth scorer in the NHL.

Overall, this was the one trade that needed to happen as we discussed on our recent  podcast and Anaheim was able to get a great return.

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March 6th, 2025