Eric Brewer traded to Anaheim, add defensive depth to mumps/injury depleted Ducks

ANAHEIM — Who doesn't love an in-game trade?

Midway through the first period of Anaheim's post Thanksgiving bonanza against the Chicago Blackhawks, the suddenly defense-starved Ducks announced a trade, sending a third round pick to Tampa Bay for defenseman Eric Brewer.

'Why did the Ducks need a 35-year-old defenseman with a $3.875 million salary cap hit like Brewer?' you may ask.

Well, it's because Friday, Anaheim announced Francois Beauchemin will be out four-to-six weeks with a broken finger, and Clayton Stoner was put on injured reserve with the mumps. Yes, the mumps have returned to Southern California.

Beauchemin had before been out with the mumps as had Corey Perry. The Ducks and the Minnesota Wild have far-and-away been the most mumps-ravaged teams in the NHL.

Since the trade was announced in the first period, you have to wonder, do the players know? Has general manager Bob Murray contacted Bruce Boudreau via 'Bat Phone?'

Whatever, in-game trades rule. Should have put them on the 'thankful' list.

Brewer's days as a minute-crunching top-four blueliner are over. But he still averages 17:50 per-night. And let's face it, the Ducks badly need defensemen at this juncture.

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