Ducks and Flames combine for a last minute trade at the deadline

PuckEmpire confirmed the Ducks have traded the 32-year-old center to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round draft pick.

It is a clear salary-clearing move after Anaheim stunned the hockey world by acquiring John Carlson late last night.

Strome has seen his role diminish significantly this season. His average ice time dropped to just 12:05 per game as the organization shifted its focus toward a youth movement led by Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier.

The veteran forward carries a $5 million cap hit through the 2026-27 season. By moving him for a late-round flyer, management has effectively wiped a massive commitment off the books to accommodate Carlson's $8 million salary.

Over his NHL career, Strome has been a reliable middle-six contributor, but he struggled to find his rhythm this year. He was even a healthy scratch on multiple occasions before the deal was finalized.

The Flames are taking a low-risk chance that a change of scenery will revitalize the former fifth-overall pick. With 480 points in 864 career games, Strome still possesses the hockey IQ to help a competing top nine.

Calgary desperately needed center depth after a series of deadline departures. Strome provides a right-shot option who can still contribute on the second power play unit.

For Anaheim, this move is strictly about the transition game on the back end. Adding Carlson gives the Ducks a legitimate elite defender, but it required a cold, calculated sacrifice in the forward group.

Strome leaves Southern California after three-plus seasons where he served as a bridge for the younger stars. Management clearly felt the locker room was ready to move on without his veteran presence.

The 2027 seventh-round pick is a distant asset, but the real return for Anaheim is the $10 million in total cap savings over the next two years. It is a textbook example of efficient roster management.

Calgary is expected to have Strome in the lineup for their weekend road trip. The trade was one of the final pieces of paper processed as the 3 p.m. deadline passed.

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