Report: Ducks deal a defenseman to Vegas

TSN insider Bob McKenzie is reporting this morning that the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights have a deal for the NHL Expansion Draft. In return for selecting high-priced veteran Clayton Stoner in the draft, Vegas general manager George McPhee will receive promising young defender Shea Theodore via trade from the Ducks’ Bob Murray. 

It’s an interesting development, as it was expected that the Ducks would lose a defenseman to Vegas, just not in this manner. While losing Theodore is a loss for the Ducks, shipping out Stoner and his $3.25 million salary for 2017-18 is a net win for the franchise. As for the Golden Knights, they get a core piece for their first blue line and, presumably, another asset or two in the form of draft picks. 

Watch for more deals like this to leak through as we draw closer to the NHL Expansion Draft and the birth of the Vegas Golden Knights later this evening.