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NHL Trade Rumors: Anaheim Ducks Won’t Trade Jonas Hiller In Season

By Jeff Langridge

February 1, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) before playing against the Dallas Stars at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
February 1, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) before playing against the Dallas Stars at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Anaheim Ducks will not trade their starting goaltender Jonas Hiller during the 2013-14 season, according to The Fourth Period. While this is not surprising because of the position the Ducks find themselves in at this point of the season, there are more than a few questions surrounding Hiller and his future with the Ducks.

Hiller is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. While Hiller is more than capable starting goaltender, it is the other goaltenders in the Ducks system that cloud the future for Hiller.

The first is Viktor Fasth. He has shown that he can step in and be a good starter for them when Hiller was out with vertigo last season. Under contract for another season after this one, Fasth could easily take over the starter’s role.

After Fasth, the Ducks have two prospects that show a lot of promise themselves.

Frederik Andersen came out of nowhere to help the Ducks this season, playing 18 games and was a big part of where they are right now. Andersen has two more years on his contract after 2013-14.

The second and more promising prospect is John Gibson. Gibson has already been a part of an American World Championship team and is the Ducks goalie of the future. Also under contract for two more years, Gibson could push for a starting role as soon as next season, even though he is only 20 years old.

This could make Hiller very expendable in the off-season. Could the Ducks re-sign Hiller? Yes, they might choose to stick with the familiar and keep him but they have three goaltenders behind that are or will be ready to start very soon. That, in my opinion, will spell the end of Hiller’s tenure in Anaheim.

There will be more than a few teams, the Edmonton Oilers probably being the most interested, that will at least inquire about Hiller. The Ducks could probably get a very good package in return

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