The inevitable finally happened Saturday, when Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek ended days, weeks and months of speculation by trading defenseman Hampus Lindholm to the Boston Bruins after negotiations for a contract extension came to an end without a resolution.

A trade seemed a foregone conclusion after Lindholm was scratched from the Ducks’ lineup for Friday’s game against the Florida Panthers in an asset management move so as to avoid an injury that might jeopardize a deal. The only mystery was Lindholm’s destination.

In the end, the Ducks landed quite a haul in return for Lindholm. Boston sent the Ducks a first-round draft pick in the upcoming draft, second-round selections in 2023 and ‘24, plus defensemen Urho Vaakanainen and John Moore. The Ducks will retain 50 percent of Lindholm’s salary.

Kodie Curran, a defenseman with the Ducks’ AHL team in San Diego, also went to Boston.

In addition, the Ducks traded left wing Nicolas Deslauriers to the Minnesota Wild for a third-round draft pick in 2023. Like Lindholm, Deslauriers was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent and Verbeek didn’t wish to risk losing either or both without getting anyone in return.

“First and foremost, I want to thank both Hampus and Nic,” Verbeek said in a statement released by the team. “Both are character individuals who will help their respective teams down the stretch. Hampus has been a fixture with the Ducks for years, which we value and respect.

“That said, we are very pleased with our return. As I’ve stated since arriving in Anaheim, our goal is to continue building a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup for the long haul. Adding players and assets that fit in the age group of our existing younger talent sets us up well for the future.”

Further trades are expected before Monday’s deadline, including but not limited to right wing Rickard Rakell and left wing Max Comtois. Rakell was another potential unrestricted free agent; Comtois was in the midst of a rough season after leading the Ducks in scoring last season.

Lindholm, 28, grew up in the Ducks’ organization. He was a first-round draft pick (sixth overall) in 2012. He spent his first season in the AHL in 2012-13, after coming over from his native Sweden, and then became a pillar in the Ducks’ defense corps over the next nine seasons.

Much as Scott Niedermayer served as a mentor, friend and landlord to Cam Fowler after the Ducks drafted Fowler in the first round (12th overall) in 2010, Lindholm played a similar role for Jamie Drysdale after Drysdale was selected in the first round (sixth overall) in 2020.

Deslauriers, 31, filled several important roles in his three seasons with the Ducks. He was an enforcer who was ready, willing and able to stand up for his teammates, fighting challengers great and small. He was an occasional offensive threat and became a penalty-killer this season.

Saturday’s trades set up the Ducks well for the next three entry drafts. They will have two first-round picks in the 2020 draft, July 7-8. In addition to their first-round picks, they’ll also have three second-round selections and two third-round picks in ‘23 and two second-round picks in ‘24.

More to come on this story.

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