Getzlaf Discusses Trade Speculation, His Future with the Ducks and More

While the rumors swirled around a number of prominent Ducks players in the lead-up to Monday's NHL Trade Deadline, Anaheim only put together a couple of of deals involving some defenseman. Just before the noon PT cutoff, the Ducks acquired defenseman Haydn Fleury from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Jani Hakanpaa and a sixth-round selection in 2022. They also traded d-man Ben Hutton for a fifth-round selection in 2022.

Among the Ducks veterans trade speculation surrounded was captain Ryan Getzlaf, who will become a free agents at the end of this season. If a trade had surfaced, Getzlaf would have had to come to an agreement with Ducks Executive Vice President & General Manager Bob Murray to waive his no-move clause. Ultimately that did not happen, so Getzlaf remains with Anaheim and needs eight points to tie Teemu Selanne's franchise record of 988. Today the 35-year-old Getzlaf sat down for a virtual session with media and addressed the trade rumors, his future, the direction of the organization and more.
On the trade deadline
It was obviously a different experience for me than I've been through in the past. I'm here now and had a lot of discussion, and nothing was real heavy content or anything like that. I've never rally approached one of these deadlines as a pending free agent before. That was a different experience, a lot of questions, a lot of speculation. I'm happy to still be in my Ducks uniform today.
On possibly waiving his no-trade clause
It never really got to the point where I had to make a decision on that aspect. Bob and I had plenty of discussions over the last couple days, trying to understand the direction of the organization, how our team could improve at the deadline, what we need, those kinds of things. But I never got to the point where I had to make the decision whether to [waive] it or not. I don't know the details of everything, but I know Bob was approached by a few different teams, Vegas being one of them. I listened to Bob's comments yesterday, and he was very accurate in his description of what happened.

Eight years ago when I signed a no-move clause, I told Bob on that day all I wanted was to be in control. If the organization ever felt they could improve or were forced to make a decision based on me, just approach me. I've always been an Anaheim Duck, and this organization means everything to me. I would never want to do anything to hinder the progression of this organization or where it could go. If it ever came to that, I expected Bob to put the organization at the forefront, and then the decision would be up to me after that.
On whether he could imagine himself in another uniform
It's very hard to do, let me tell you. It's not a comfortable situation when you're talking about how long I've been here, how much I've put into this organization, how much it's given me. I would be very hard-pressed to find myself in a different uniform.
On thoughts of going to a team contending for the Stanley Cup
There are players in the past who have chased after a Cup at the end, and there will be players [doing that] in the future. It's completely understandable. Not to say I don't have a strong desire to win another Stanley Cup, but the other thing people don't see is my everyday life I go through. I have four kids, I have a wife who has supported me this whole time. There's a lot that goes into it, and even more than I thought. I have never been an active participant in the trade deadline before. I have always just sat on the sidelines and then see where we're at the next day. There is a lot that goes into making those kinds of decisions, moving family or moving away from family. People don't understand fully how much I am involved in this organization and how much I care about it and care about the people in it.
On whether things would have been different if he hadn't won a Cup already
I'm sure it would. I can't really comment on that because I [have won one]. I can speculate on it, but unless you're actually living in those shoes, it's hard to make that decision. As a player, chasing a Stanley Cup is your dream from when you're a kid. I was very fortunate to come to an organization that was prepared to win one early in my career.

On the state of the team
We've got work to do, obviously. We've had a couple seasons now that definitely aren't where we want to be and up to the standard of our organization. Like every organization that has a long run of success, which we enjoyed for a long time, there are peaks and valleys when it comes to building a team. Unfortunately, we're going through a valley right now. Part of that is understanding where you are as an organization and going forward. I think Bob's navigating that right now as well as ownership on what they need to do and the direction we need to keep going and improving. Some of our kids have taken steps, and some of our veterans have to help along and make sure we're buying into the right things and take the direction to get back to where it used to be.
On thoughts of beyond this season
I know at times we throw generalities at you when trying to avoid questions, but to be straight up honest with you, this season hasn't been that fun. Having no fans and all that kind of stuff weighs in on it. There are so many things going on this year that are different from the normal, that I haven't even been able to sit and think about what next year looks like. Maybe that's a good thing for me to not have to weigh that stuff all the time. I planned on playing out this year the best that I can and then going into the summer and kind of re-evaluating as it went along. Bob and I talked about the future of the organization the last few days, needs and wants, and no matter what, I feel like I'm part of that in some way. For me to worry about contract talks and all that stuff is kind of irrelevant at this point. We'll go into the summer and have plenty of time to do that.
On being part of the team turning things around
I always feel like I want to be part of the solution. The Anaheim Ducks have been my home for 15, 16 years, and I feel part of this organization forever. I always want to see the best for the organization, this team, my teammates. I've gone through the ups and now a lot of the downs with these guys and the organization in general. My goal every day is to try and make this team better one way or another. That goes on even after hockey. This is something that's been my goal for a long time, to be part of this team for a long time.

On the play of the young Ducks
I'm very intrigued by the way some of these guys have developed. [Troy] Terry and [Max] Jones have both taken great steps this year in terms of understanding their game, what they can and can't do at this level. Jamie [Drysdale] on the back end, his footwork and the things he can do with the puck are only gonna get better. [Zegras] did some great things when he was here. He's down there working on being a centerman right now. Those are all good things as far as developing players and helping them understand what to do. We'll see how that goes.
On living in Southern California after hockey
I think that's always kind of been our vision. Situations change, and our world is changing like crazy, so who knows. But that's always been our vision. We love it in California, and I love this organization to be around in life after hockey. We'll see how it all goes. If you asked me five years ago when life was simple, it would have been a lot easier to answer. But at the moment, California is our home and we'll see where the world takes us.
On the possibility of breaking Selanne's franchise scoring record
I'm not much of a numbers guy, but it would be nice to pass Teemu and go down the street and give him a little jab. I thing he's still gonna get me on the overall numbers. I don't know if I'll quite get to the numbers he did.
On whether he could play until he was 43, like Selanne
I don't think so. Something tells me my body doesn't work the same as his. We played a little different game over the years. [Laughs]