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NHL Trade: Ducks acquire Carl Hagelin from Rangers

By Josh Hill

May 20, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62) during the second period of game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62) during the second period of game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Anaheim Ducks have acquired Rangers star Carl Hagelin in an effort to stop flaming out when it counts the most. 

After six games in the Western Conference Finals, it looked like the Anaheim Ducks might finally get over the hump and make it back to the Stanley Cup. The blowout loss in Game 7 that followed seemed to crush the spirits of everyone in Anaheim and there was an immediate need for serious change.

Rumors swirled about Bruce Boudreau being fired or massive change hitting the roster, but the Ducks front office kept their cool until the moment came to strike iron. That moment came during the second-round of the NHL Draft when Anaheim mortgaged it’s future to acquire one of the most exciting players in the game.

According to Bob McKenzie from TSN, the Rangers have shipped one of their best players off to the Anaheim Ducks for a handful of future assets.

Emerson Etem is a rising star in the NHL, and moving to one of the biggest markets in the sport is only going to help his street cred.

The real winners of this trade are the Anaheim Ducks, who have acquired one of the fastest young skaters in the league and player who instantly makes them better than they were. The Ducks flamed out hard against the Blackhawks in the Conference Finals, and the losing needs end.

Anaheim has Stanley Cup caliber rosters year in and year out but have failed to hoist the cup for almost 10 years. Acquiring Hagelin instantly makes them a faster and more aggressive team in addition to the other pieces they have that works. That’s not a guarantee they’ll be in the Stanley Cup next year, but this is a clear move of desperation but one that could pay off for years to come.

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