Jets, Ducks Swap Prospects

To Winnipeg: Maxime Macenauer To Anaheim: Riley Holzapfel

Analysis:

The Anaheim Ducks and Winnipeg Jets have completed a minor trade that sent Maxime Macenauer to the Jets and Riley Holzapfel to Anaheim. 

The twenty-three year old Holzapel has played twenty-nine games this season with the Jets' AHL affiliate, the St.John's Ice Caps. In those games he has put up eight goals and seven assists for fifteen points. He has yet to play an NHL game in his career thus far, and its still unclear if he ever will. Right now he doesn't look like a player that will be an everyday NHL contributor, but maybe the Ducks see something in him that neither I nor the Jets see. 

Going back to the Jets is another twenty-three year old in Maxime Macenauer. He has played twenty-nine games this season for the Ducks putting up one goal and three assists, for four points. He was then demoted to their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, where he has put up four goals and two assists for six points in thirteen games. Even though he was demoted, he excelled with the Ducks in a bottom-six role. He was very effective and I believe he has the potential to be a good fourth-line player in the National Hockey League as soon as next season. His agility and solid defensive play make him an attractive option on the PK as well. 

Even though its a deal that is definitely considered 'minor', I don't think it would be a complete shock if Macenauer becomes an NHL'er in some capacity for the Jets. I'm interested to see if he gets any time with the big club going forward or if he will remain in the American Hockey League for the rest of the season.