Ducks acquire defenseman Erik Gudbranson from the Penguins

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that they have acquired defenseman Erik Gudbranson from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Andreas Martinsen and a 2021 7th round draft pick.

After defenseman Josh Manson left the game against the Dallas Stars Thursday night due to injury in the first period and subsequently being spotted on crutches after the game, the Ducks already gaping need for right-handed blueline depth turned into a black hole. This trade addresses that need. Apparently. He’s a body.

Gudbranson, a former third overall pick by the Florida Panthers in the 2010 Entry Draft currently has no points through seven games this season. He tallied 10 points (2G, 8A) through 76 games between the Vancouver Canucks and the Penguins last season while putting up, shall we say, not good shot metrics.

Aside from the poor play, one of the big issues with this trade is the contract. Gudbranson has two years remaining on his three-year, $4 million AAV deal he signed with Vancouver. While the Ducks have the space to take on this contract with room for future moves, this trade limits the degree of roster moves Anaheim will be able to make going forward this season, cutting into almost half of their available money.

A defenseman that bleeds shot attempts making $4 million per year who is a former Canuck. I’ll give you three guesses to find his comparable.

Andreas Martinsen, the player headed to Pittsburgh, signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $750,000 with Anaheim this offseason. He has spent the first part of this season playing with the San Diego Gulls.