About six weeks ago, the idea of the Anaheim Ducks being active at the trade deadline would have meant the club being sellers, or perhaps the nuclear option of blowing things up and rebuilding. But Anaheim is 13-2-3 in its last 18 games and has clawed their way back to within eight points of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The Ducks seem more likely to be buyers than sellers as the February 27 NHL trade deadline approaches, though their performance on their current eight-game road trip will determine their direction. Anaheim is 2-0-1 in the first three games of the trip.
Teemu Selanne, the franchise leader in nearly every category, has been rumored to be on the block, but the 41-year old with a no-trade clause doesn't figure to be moved anytime soon.
"Everybody in this room believes we can make the playoffs. That would be almost wrong to think about any other option," Selanne told ESPN on Friday. "[A trade] is not in my mind right now. Let’s see what happens. The main focus right now [is] today and this road trip. This road trip is going to pretty much decide which direction we’re going to go."
Selanne, with 18 goals and 33 assists this season, leads Anaheim in points this season. The Ducks continue their road trip Wednsday night facing the Pittsburgh Penguins.
For more news and information on Selanne and the Ducks, be sure to read Anaheim Calling.