The Anaheim Ducks have acquired defenseman Christian Djoos from the Washington Capitals for forward Daniel Sprong.
This trade is an interesting swap. Both players are young and have NHL experience. However, both players were waived at the beginning of the year and could use a change of scenery. Djoos is a bottom pairing defenseman with solid AHL numbers and a 2018 Stanley Cup ring. He will start his Ducks career in the AHL, though. He should get called up, as the Ducks\’ seven defensemen include Brendan Guhle and Matt Irwin, both of whom are worse than Djoos. Sprong was a second rounder in 2015, who could never get a chance in Pittsburgh, but scored 14 goals in 47 games for the Ducks last year. He also has not gotten much of a chance, spending most of the season in the AHL. While neither player will start his tenure with his new club in the NHL, they both should get NHL time this year. If he plays well enough, Sprong can make the playoff roster for the Caps.
Djoos, 25, has scored five goals with 27 assists for 32 points in 42 games for the AHL\’s Hershey Bears this year. In two NHL games, he has no points. In his NHL career, all for Washington, Djoos has scored four goals with 20 assists for 24 points in 110 games.
Sprong, 22, has scored 11 goals with 16 assists for 27 points in 39 games for the AHL\’s San Diego Gulls this year. He has scored one goal with an assist for two points in eight NHL games this year. In his NHL career for the Ducks and Pittsburgh Penguins Sprong has scored 19 goals with 11 assists for 30 points in 97 games.
CarterHud 