The Anaheim Ducks officially landed the second-line center required to combat their Californian rivals in the postseason.
The Vancouver Canucks traded Ryan Kesler and a 2015 third-round pick to the Ducks for forward Nick Bonino and defenseman Luca Sbisa, along with the 24th and 85th picks in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
The Ducks avoided forfeiting both a top prospect and the 10th-overall pick in this year's draft with Canucks general manager Jim Benning's hands tied.
With the draft hours away and only the Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks included on Kesler's list to waive his no-trade clause, Anaheim was able to fulfill a glaring weakness at a rather modest price.
The Canucks did acquire a solid piece in Bonino, with whom they hope will blossom into their next second-line center while Sbisa, despite a familiarity with newly-appointed head coach Willie Desjardins, is an underwhelming third piece.
Now with two first-round selections, the Canucks appear primed to continue dealing when they step on the draft floor. TSN's Bob Mckenzie suggests that they are still eyeing the draft's top selection, after trading defenseman Jason Garrison to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a second-round pick in this year's draft.
