The NHL’s trade deadline isn’t until April 12, but Ducks general manager Bob Murray isn’t waiting until the last minute to shake up the roster of his struggling team. Murray acquired right wing Alexander Volkov from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday in exchange for a draft pick and a prospect.
Volkov, 23, has three goals and two assists in 19 games for the Lightning. He has played 28 games in two seasons with Tampa Bay, which drafted the Moscow native in the second round (48th overall) in 2017. He also has played three seasons with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.
He scored 23 goals in each of his first two seasons with Syracuse, and he had nine goals and 21 assists in 46 games in the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season. He played nine games with the Lightning last season, recording one assist, finding it difficult to find ice time when the eventual Stanley Cup champions.
The Ducks sent center Antoine Morand and a conditional seventh-round pick in 2023 to the Lightning. Morand had one goal and five assists in 21 games with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls.
“We are excited to have Alexander join our organization,” Murray said. “We believe a fresh start will help him further develop as we look to continue adding youthful talent.”
DROPPING THE GLOVES
The check was clean, a tough but fair challenge along the boards. Minnesota Wild defenseman Carson Soucy thumped Ducks right wing Troy Terry to the ice midway through the first period of their 3-2 loss Wednesday at Xcel Energy Center. Terry was uninjured, but Soucy had to answer for his actions.
So, Ryan Getzlaf did what captains are supposed to do in such situations, challenging Soucy to a fight. Getzlaf found a willing partner in Soucy and the two traded punches for a few moments before linesmen Tyson Baker and Ryan Gibbons broke it up. It didn’t matter who won or lost.
“Unbelievable leadership, number one,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “We all know ‘Getzy’ is here for the good of his teammates and the good of the organization. It was the right thing to do. It was the right message to send.
“It just goes to show, even though we’re in an adverse time as we build this organization back up, these guys are in there playing hard for each other and fighting for each other, and I don’t mean literally throwing down the gloves like you saw there. They are in the fight in that dressing room.”
Getzlaf and Soucy were each penalized for fighting. Getzlaf earned an extra minor and a 10-minute misconduct for instigating their scrap. Getzlaf earned a fist-bump from rookie left wing Trevor Zegras and a pat on the helmet from Eakins as he left the ice for the rest of the period.
FIGHTING SPIRIT (PART 2)
The Ducks are no one’s idea of a playoff contender at this point in their lost season. However, left wing Max Comtois said they haven’t given up on each other despite their 9-19-6 record and last-place standing in the West Division. When pushed, they’re willing to push back.
“I think the spirit is good,” Comtois said. “We’re happy to come to the rink and work hard for practices and games. It seems like we’re in every game, so it’s good to see. At the end of the day, we always want to win. It’s hard when you lose.”
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