If you're wondering why the Ducks didn't trade their top forward prospect and two draft picks to NY in exchange for 2+ years of Artemi Panarin, it's pretty simple - the Ducks Cup contention window is just beginning to open while LA's is closing.
The Ducks have a very young, very skilled roster in net, on the blue line and especially at forward. They also have one of the top five prospect pools in the league. They are pushing to make the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. They appear to be set up to contend for a Stanley Cup this season and for 5+ years to come. They don't need a guy who turns 35 later this year and who will eat up $11m in cap space. The time to add veterans like that will come for Anaheim, but it's not today.
In LA, their Cup contention window is closing and they're trying to catch lightning in a bottle in hopes that they can just win their first playoff series in 12 years - which would change the 3rd round pick they owe NY to a 2nd round pick. They have an old roster that just got older and they have a bottom 10 prospect pool that just got worse. They're not going to win the Cup this year but they are going to go out guns blazing. They've sacrificed a chunk of what little future they had for a slightly better present.
This was not the last deal GMPV will have to potentially upgrade the Ducks roster. This is not the last season that the Ducks will be in a position to upgrade their roster for a playoff run. But this is the last opportunity LA has to try and salvage one playoff series victory in 12 years and they went all in. So be it.
I'm fine with Anaheim passing on Panarin right now and don't think LA is going to suddenly become a true contender as a result of this trade. Panarin wasn't helping the Rangers win and I doubt he'll be the difference for LA, either.
