Posted by 
Anaheim acquired defenseman Ryan Whitney from Pittsburgh in exchange for Chris Kunitz and prospect Eric Tangradi
With the breaking hockey news today of the trade between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Anaheim Ducks it seems only a matter of time before the NHL erupts in trade deadline fever. In the trade the Anaheim Ducks received 26 year old defenseman Ryan Whitney in exchange for sending the Penguins feisty forward Chris Kunitz and talented prospect Eric Tangradi.
What Anaheim gets: Anaheim receives a top 4 defenseman with a great mind for protecting the net, moreover he brings size (6-4, 215lbs) to a blue line that in the coming week may or may not see the departure of big bird Chris Pronger. If the Ducks choose not to trade Pronger, the Ducks have a defenseman in Whitney capable of taking over the void of Scott Niedermayer if he chooses to retire after this season. If neither scenario plays out the Ducks have solidified a blue line in an attempt to make the playoffs.
What Pittsburgh gets: In Kunitz the Penguins get an instant team player, and a guy who is personally one of my favorites in the NHL. Kunitz is known for driving to the net and scores plenty of goals some players would shy away from. Kunitz is more than glad to mix it up in the corner, and never runs away from dropping the gloves. In 62 games Kunitz has 55 PIM for good reason. He will be instantly loved by the Penguin faithful.
In Tangradi the Penguins get a prospect that will likely play in the NHL next season. Tangradi is one of the top scorers in the OHL and once the jump to the NHL is made Tangradi will likely fit will with speedy forwards such as Malkin and Crosby. A lot of development is still left for Tangradi, but projections seem clear he will be a talented player.
Problem is did Anaheim give up too much?
What Anaheim gave up: Anaheim gave up a top-six feisty forward, who is willing to do the dirty work and a projected NHLer for next season in exchange for a defenseman who has been injured most of the season. True, Whitney is a talented defenseman but on top of the cap issues the Ducks already had, this trade actually puts more money against the cap.
Only the trade deadline and upcoming summer will determine how intelligent (or not) this trade truly was.
Photo: Courtesy of Yahoo Sports
Some Other Articles That You May Enjoy:
Penguins Win Fifth-Straight Game
Pittsburgh Penguins
Anaheim Ducks
Meet the Newest Oiler, Ryan Whitney
Draft Day Over: Islanders Recap
Is Jean-Sebastian Giguere’s Time Running Out In Anaheim?
We hope you enjoyed this post. As always, leaving a comment below is both appreciated and encouraged. Thanks!
Good analysis. Thanks.
I’m excited about Kunitz on the Pens. He’ll bring the physicality and hard work that the team is definitely lacking.
I’m also looking forward to Tangradi. Yes, you never know how a prospect is going to turn out, but he definitely seems like another player that could bring some grit to the Penguins’ line up.
Whitney needed a change of scenery. He’s a good player and he can play big minutes. He’s also always willing to stick up for his team mates, which is nice.
He seemed to have lost his focus this year, but I have no doubt he’ll get it back sometime in Anaheim.
Great Analysis Ken.
The name that I really love in this trade for the Penguins is Tangradi. This kid has a bright future in the NHL.
I think the Ducks gave up a ton but only time will tell if they made the right move, acquiring Whitney allows the Ducks to shop Pronger and Niedermayer
[...] Ducks started off with the questionable decision of the Kunitz/Tangradi for Whitney move. I wrote a previous article on that subject; don’t have the blood pressure to discuss it [...]
[...] course, the team’s big move was made last week when the team sent Ryan Whitney to Anaheim for Chris Kunitz and Eric Tangradi. Kunitz has definitely fit in with the Penguins. He heads to the net and can be counted on to [...]