The New Jersey Devils have traded Adam Henrique, Joseph Blandisi, and a 2018 third-round draft pick to the Anaheim Ducks. In return, the Ducks send Sami Vatanen and a conditional third-round pick the Devils.
The conditions of New Jersey’s pick are if the Ducks sign Henrique to a new contract for 2019-20 prior to the selection of their 3rd round pick in 2019, the Ducks will give that pick to the Devils. If the Ducks sign Henrique to a new contract for 2019-20 after the selection of their 3rd round pick in 2019, the Ducks will give a 2020 3rd round pick to the Devils. If Henrique does not sign with the Ducks no picks are exchanged.
BREAKING: #NHLDucks acquire centers Adam Henrique, Joseph Blandisi and a 2018 third-round draft pick from the @NJDevils for defenseman Sami Vatanen and a conditional draft pick. pic.twitter.com/D5y51REPsl
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) November 30, 2017
New Jersey Devils Trade Henrique, Blandisi to the Ducks to receive Vatanen
The Anaheim Ducks have had a rough start to their season, with most of their top-six out with injuries. The biggest blow to their line-up has been the injuries to centres Ryan Kesler and Ryan Getzlaf.
In Henrique and Blandisi, both centres, the Ducks get some much-needed help up front.
The New Jersey Devils drafted Henrique in 2008 with the 82nd overall pick. In the season thus far Henrique has scored four goals and ten assists in 24 games. He’s scored 122 goals and 135 assists in 455 games with the Devils. Most noteworthy, he also scored the overtime game-winning-goal in 2012, as a result, the Devils went to the Stanley Cup Finals. Henrique has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $4 million per season.
Blandisi has played in 68 games for the Devils, a 6th round draft picks in 2012, with eight goals and 26 assists. Currently, Blandisi has been playing the Devils AHL team, the Binghamton Devils. With Binghamton this season, he has three goals and 11 assists in 19 games.
The New Jersey Devils Recieve Vatanen
The Devils, who have had a hot start to the season, receive defenseman Sami Vatanen. New Jersey’s biggest weakness has been their defense. By receiving Vatanen, they’ll be getting a player who can slot into their top-four with ease. Vatanen has been playing around 21 minutes a night, which will be second highest for defensemen on the Devils.
Vatanen, a fourth-round draft pick in 2009, has played in 280 games with the Anaheim Ducks. In those 280 games, he has 33 goals and 93 assists. Vatanen played for Team Finland in the World Cup of Hockey 2016, appearing in three games. Notably, Vatanen had six points in 12 playoff games last year. Vatanen has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $4.875 million. Capable of providing offense from the backend, Vatanen has two seasons over 35 points in his career.
