Report: Ducks Shopping Pending UFA Dumoulin

The Ducks locked up one of their pending UFAs on Sunday, inking Frank Vatrano to a three-year extension. That leaves four pending UFAs in Brock McGinn, Brett Leason, Robby Fabbri and Brian Dumoulin. Dumoulin is part of a Ducks blue line which added Jacob Trouba and subtracted Cam Fowler a week later, both via trade. A trade may be coming soon enough for Dumoulin too, who is being shopped by the Ducks, according to The Fourth Period.

A steady defenseman who is shifty on breakouts and avoiding forechecks and can play both the left and right side, Dumoulin’s services should be in high demand. His $3,150,000 cap hit is modest and the number of teams interested will increase if the Ducks retain half of that.

Dumoulin’s 10-team no trade list does slightly limit the options available but as seen in the past with Cam Fowler, players are willing to waive their trade protection for the right fit.

Acquired from the Seattle Kraken this past summer for a 2026 fourth-round pick, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek could seek a similar return. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman had previously mentioned that the Ducks like Dumoulin’s veteran presence, but a trade would also open up a lineup spot for one of the Ducks’ young defensemen. Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger and Drew Helleson have rotated in the press box since Fowler returned from injury in December and continued to do so after Trouba’s acquisition and even after Fowler’s departure.

“I don’t want (those young defensemen) sitting,” Cronin said. “Pat (Verbeek) doesn’t want them sitting. So they’re not going to sit for long periods of time because we don’t want them to get rusty, right? So they understand that.”

With Dumoulin out of the picture, the Ducks would be able to play Mintyukov, Zellweger and Jackson LaCombe all on their natural left-handed side. The right side would be occupied by Trouba, Helleson and Radko Gudas. A lineup spot will also need to be eventually opened up for Tristan Luneau, who is currently plying his trade in the AHL.

While having a veteran like Dumoulin on the team helps the Ducks in the short term, moving him will create long-term benefits for the team.

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