Ducks swap prospects for depth with Boston

On Monday, Anaheim completed a deal with the Boston Bruins that saw them acquire energetic centre Mark Mowers in exchange for prospect D men Brett Skinner and Nathan Saunders.

Expected to play a fourth-line or depth role with the club, Mowers can also play wing and can be counted on for his enthusiasm and energy. Mowers is not known for his offense at the NHL-level, netting just 5 and 4 goals the past two season with Boston and Detroit respectively; however he is not expected to be counted on in a scoring role.

Skinner was acquired in a deal from Vancouver two years ago and has seen his stock fall on the Ducks’ prospect depth chart. Saunders was a fourth-round pick of the Ducks in 2003 but had yet to find his way into a roster spot.

Some will wonder if this deal was to clear a contract spot (Anaheim was up against the 50 player limit) or if it may lead to a bigger deal, perhaps involving centre Todd Marchant. It also could simply be a depth move in light of recent injuries.