NHL Trade Rumors: Ducks Willing to Trade Anyone Not Named Selanne or Koivu

This tweet was sent out a little over a week ago in regards to Ryan Getzlaf.

At the time, the rumor was a bit premature. NHL insider Darren Dreger clearly stated that Getzlaf was not on the market. However, a radio interview today has started to generate some buzz. Darren Dreger was on a Vancouver radio station and was asked about the Anaheim Ducks and Ryan Getzlaf.

Dreger restated what he tweeted back in December in regards to a trade involving Getzlaf. He made it clear that nothing was in the works, but for the right price he could be traded.

In today's NHL, almost anyone can be dealt for the right price. However, Dreger went on and implied that Getzlaf is obviously not happy with his play so far this season and the Ducks may not be happy either.

Dreger vehemently stated and reinforced that nothing was imminent but it was another scenario to consider that didn't involve trading Bobby Ryan.

In addition to this, Jeff Miller of the Orange County Register wrote this piece on why Bob Murray should trade Ryan Getzlaf. Miller states,

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So now, General Manager Bob Murray needs to make a real deal, a genuinely impactful one, a move that signals the start of reloading for next season because, let's all admit it, this season is a goner.

He needs to trade...Ryan Getzlaf.

That's right. The team captain. The Olympic gold medalist. The former All-Star Game starter.

If there's a deal out there that improves the Ducks significantly in one way, the damage done the other way by the loss of Getzlaf is worth it.

For whatever reason, this just isn't working. It isn't working for the Ducks, and it certainly isn't working for Getzlaf.

The way this situation has stagnated—and, after much thought, that's the ideal word for it,stagnated—could not have been predicted. Then again, no one would have picked the Ducks to be 29th in a 30-team league on New Year's Day.

"

In a very informative article Miller went on to write,

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The direction the Ducks have taken is a downward spiral. The coaching change has had little effect. Bruce Boudreau's shuffling of the lines hasn't made a difference. The roster tinkering has produced no results.

Tweaks aren't going to do it anymore. These Ducks are beyond tweaks. It's time to scrap the fantasy of making a miracle playoff run with this group and start looking toward 2012-13.

It's not time to blow up the Ducks, mind you, but it is time to shake them at their very core, and that's where the "C" is sewn.

For Getzlaf, a trade might be the best thing right now. Boudreau recently tried separating him from longtime linemate Corey Perry. The coach also changed his top power play unit by removing Getzlaf. The changes yielded nothing.

"

When you look at this situation there is a lot to consider. You can take the Dreger tweet and radio comments as just an observation. On the other hand, Miller—who covers the team day in and day out—lays out some solid facts.

When teams look to make a change, often the coach is the first to go. When that doesn't work, sometimes a trade is made to shake up the locker room. As Miller explained, Getzlaf has not adapted to the changes of personnel.

Boudreau has taken him away from his line mates, he has taken him off the top power play unit and Getzlaf has very low numbers. 

The question now becomes, if you are Bob Murray, do you trade Getzlaf or Ryan? Getzlaf will be a free agent in the summer of 2013. If Getzlaf doesn't fit under Boudreau's system, maybe it would be wise to deal him instead of Ryan for a crop of players that can help.

Both Ryan and Getzlaf are important players but as Miller ended his piece he said, "For the right trade, every Duck, at this point, must be considered expendable, regardless of the name on the back of the jersey or the letter on the front."

These tweets just came out and have added some fuel to this burning fire.

Tom Urtz, Jr. is an NHL featured columnist. For NHL news, updates and alerts about players: