Ducks Acquire Eaves from Dallas
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Anaheim Ducks / AnaheimDucks.com
Eaves, 32 (5/1/84), co-led Dallas with a career-high 21 goals (tied with Tyler Seguin) and ranked tied for fourth in the NHL with 11 power-play goals at the time of the trade. Eaves appeared in 59 games with the Stars this season, recording a career-high 37 points (21-16=37) with 16 penalty minutes (PIM). The 6-0, 200-pound forward also led the team in power-play goals, ranked third in points and power-play scoring (11-5=16), and second in shots on goal (154).
Selected by Ottawa in the first round (29th overall) of the 2003 NHL Draft, Eaves has collected 120-107=227 points with 198 PIM in 604 career NHL games with Ottawa (2005-08), Carolina (2007-09), Detroit (2009-14), Nashville (2013-14) and Dallas (2014-17). He has also appeared in 76 career Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Senators, Hurricanes, Red Wings and Stars, earning 9-10=19 points with 39 PIM. In the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Eaves helped Carolina to the Eastern Conference Final, appearing in all 18 postseason games. He also recorded 3-3=6 points with a +3 rating in nine playoff games with Dallas in 2016, ranking third among team leaders in points-per-game (0.67).
Raised in Faribault, MN, Eaves led the United States to a gold medal at the 2004 World Junior Championship after collecting 1-5=6 points in six tournament games. He went on to be named the Hockey East Player of the Year in 2004-05 after three seasons with Boston College.
Eaves will travel to Southern California today, in time to join the team for tomorrow afternoon's game at Los Angeles. He spoke to reporters this afternoon via conference call:
On his reaction to the trade
It was good. I was a little disoriented because I was taking a pregame nap for the game tonight. It got me out of bed really quick, that's for sure. I was excited. Your world gets turned upside down real quick. I want to get out there as soon as possible, and fortunately we have an afternoon game tomorrow, so I'm getting ready for that. Hopefully, I make it there alright.
On coming to the Ducks
We've played them three times this year, and you know you're gonna have a tough game every time you play the Ducks. It's a good team I'm joining, and I'm excited by the way they're playing and the way they're positioned for the playoffs. I know the nerves I'm experiencing right now will go away once the game starts tomorrow.
On whether he had an inkling he would be traded
I wasn't too surprised because of where we are in the standings and me being a UFA after this year. So I guess it's not a surprise they moved me to Anaheim. I've been on a few teams in my career, so I knew the business side of it. It's a deal Jim [Dallas GM Jim Nill] made to hopefully make the Stars better, and a deal Bob [Anaheim GM Bob Murray] made to hopefully make the Ducks better. It's just business.
On knowing some current Ducks
Ryan Kesler and I go back to when we were 16 years old, so it will be nice to see a face I know right away. I played with Antoine Vermette in Ottawa, so there's another guy. Hopefully that will help in the transition of me joining another team. I hope to be a good fit.
On his season so far
I've had a lot of good opportunities this year, being on the power play and playing a lot of good minutes 5-on-5. Fortunately I haven't been hit by pucks that have done any damage. All those things together have helped me put up the numbers I have this year. Hopefully I can continue the path I'm on with the Ducks here.
On his family
We just had a five-day break and we went to Disneyland. The kids are pretty excited that Disneyland is there in Anaheim. They have spring break coming up, so they're already asking questions and inquiring a little bit. My kids are in school here in Dallas, and they will finish out the remainder of the year. I've got a wife who is the rock of the family, and she will handle everything for the rest of the school year.
