The Ducks have made their first trade of the offseason, shipping defenseman Olen Zellweger to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the 45th overall pick in this weekend’s draft and prospect center Anton Wahlberg.
Zellweger, 22, was taken 34th overall by the Ducks in 2021 and went on to garner honors as the Western Hockey League’s top defenseman.
In 164 games as a Duck, he compiled 51 points, including 22 in 76 games last season.
Yet down the stretch, Zellweger found himself in and out of the lineup. In the playoffs, he dressed for just three of 12 games, still recording a goal and an assist.
His work ethic and 12-speed-transmission skating were his calling cards, though his lack of size may ultimately have made him a casualty of the Ducks’ ongoing triage on the blue line.
The Ducks do not own a first-round pick and would have first selected 50th overall prior to this deal, which netted them No. 45 and more latitude to move up or down the board.
In the 20-year-old Wahlberg, they receive a 2023 second-rounder (No. 39 overall) that had 38 points in 68 American Hockey League games last season with the Rochester Americans.
Tyson Hinds, who replaced Zellweger down the stretch, and prospect Stian Solberg both stand to benefit from the newfound flexibility on the left side following Zellweger’s departure.
Of late, Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski has been in question for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Were Werenski, also a left defenseman, to become the latest U.S. Olympic gold medalist to change addresses, the Ducks would be among the teams well-positioned to make a play for him.
Multiple reports indicated that interest in Ducks forward Mason McTavish was high, with the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues among his suitors. He signed a six-year contract extension last fall.
More to come on this story.