Del Zotto aims to be a hit in Anaheim
Veteran defenceman traded to Ducks for Schenn, low draft pick and salary relief
Michael Del Zotto has lots of pent-up energy.
It’s not emotional anger toward the Vancouver Canucks or coach Travis Green. It’s trumping the frustration of sitting out with the anticipation of getting an opportunity to do what he does best.
The logical business aspect of the NHL made the 10-year veteran defencemen expendable and attractive in a Wednesday night trade to the rapidly rebuilding Anaheim Ducks, who are trying to salvage their sorry season.
Del Zotto led the Canucks in hits last season with 244 — that ranked fifth in the league — and was second to Alex Edler in blocked shots. This season, the 28-year-old played just 23 games and managed only four points, but still ranks fourth in hits with 89.
“I’ve missed 26 games to catch up in hits, so the physicality is there and the body is fresh,” Del Zotto said Thursday.
“If you look at me in the hits column, I’ll probably be there every single night. Probably a lot of frustration to let out and the second half of the season is a lot tougher and harder to win games with a lot of divisional games.
“Once you get in the playoffs, it’s a whole other animal and I’m hopeful to get there and be a positive influence.”
Del Zotto was traded for journeyman defenceman Luke Schenn and a 2020 seventh-round draft choice. The Canucks reportedly are retaining 25 per cent of Del Zotto’s expiring US$3 million contract, while the 29-yearold Schenn is also a pending UFA with an $800,000 cap hit. He will report directly to the Utica Comets.
Schenn split this season between the Ducks (eight games) and San Diego of the AHL (10 points in 22 games) and has logged 716 NHL games with Anaheim, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Toronto.
Del Zotto played just once in the past 18 games — Jan. 3 in Montreal, where you could argue he was being showcased before a bevy of scouts — and being sat for eight consecutive games in October was an early indication that he wasn’t a current or future fix for the Canucks.
After the second period Wednesday at Rogers Arena, general manager Jim Benning informed Del Zotto that a deal had been completed.
“I was hopeful something would happen,” Del Zotto admitted. “I’ve said all along that I want to be here and part of the future and help out with the young guys. Obviously, I wasn’t playing much and I take pride in my work ethic every single day.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity I had here and made so many great relationships within the organization and Ronald McDonald House. I’m looking forward to a fresh start.
“It’s frustrating not playing but I can look in the mirror at the end of the day knowing I gave it all I had and I’m happy with that. With them (Ducks) losing 12 in a row, hopefully I can help out and get them into a playoff position.”
Which, of course, was the goal here.
“I feel great and that’s the frustrating part,” Del Zotto added. “Even when I played that consistent stretch of (20) games, I felt like I was playing well defensively, physical as usual and offensively, I was probably making more plays than last year.
“I worked a lot on skills stuff before practices and I’m ready to go. Never once have I doubted myself about being able to contribute every day.”
That’s where it would be easy to conclude there was some sort of disconnect between player and coach or the organization.
However, with Alex Edler, Derrick Pouliot and Ben Hutton also on expiring deals — while Quinn Hughes is expected to sign and arrive once Michigan’s season is completed, and while Olli Juolevi’s development curve is lengthened by knee surgery — the Canucks will continue to be in some manner of a back-end transition.
On a day-to-day basis, Del Zotto was often more of a roster option than a mainstay. That can rub anybody the wrong way, but teammates lauded Del Zotto’s professionalism and not letting his situation affect the room.
“A very popular guy in the dressing room but it’s the crappy part of the business,” Brandon Sutter said.
“Hopefully, there’s a better opportunity for him because the last two months were tough on him when you’re a veteran guy. He battled every night.”
As for Green, there was mutual respect between player and coach.
“Me and Greener have a great relationship,” Del Zotto stressed. “We talk quite often and keep it pretty light, too. We like to joke around and give each other a hard time — which I think helps with the gruelling season — and to have people in the organization speak highly of me, that means more to me than everything.
“Leaving here on a positive note, I take great pride in that.”
In the interim, Del Zotto is awaiting a U.S. work visa and hopes to skate with a local junior team before joining the Ducks on their eastern road trip.