Anaheim Ducks Breaking News: Anaheim Trades for Andrew Cogliano

For a relatively quiet off-season, Anaheim fans have been forced to simply wait for news to celebrate. This morning, news came through that could possibly be worth that celebration.

The Anaheim Ducks have acquired center Andrew Cogliano from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a second-round draft pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

The 24-year-old forward seems to have a similar stature, playing style and consistency as newly-retired Duck Todd Marchant, who made his name known by proving his worth both in the face-off circle and on the penalty kill. 

At 5'10", 184-pounds, Cogliano led his team in face-offs won and also won the fastest skater competition in the 2009 All-Star Skills Competition (see a clip of that here).

Adding a player like Cogliano to help out in the face-off circle should help Anaheim fans relax a bit after losing puck draw gurus Todd Marchant and Samuel Pahlsson in the past few years. 

When so much of the game's momentum is determined by who wins a face-off, adding Cogliano's talents in the circle could really prove to be one of the most underrated moves that GM Bob Murray makes this summer.

Cogliano has played four full seasons in the NHL, never dipping below 10 goals per season and always tallying at least 28 points. Last season he found time on both the power play and the penalty kill, during which time he managed five power play assists, one shorthanded goal and two shorthanded assists.

One key issue that Anaheim faces with this newly-acquired center is the obstacle of salary arbitration, and as a restricted free agent this summer, Cogliano already has a date set for his arbitration.

In the wake of extending young speedster Dan Sexton's contract, Murray might be looking for a smaller shutdown trio that has speed to play a strong two-way game. 

So, was trading for Andrew Cogliano a smart move? Absolutely, considering it helps to fill the gap that was left when Marchant hung up his skates.