Ducks acquire defenseman Ward - 03-03-10

The Ducks aquired defenseman Aaron Ward (above, checking Toronto's Colton Orr for an ear infection apparently) from the  Hurricanes from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for goaltender Justin Pogge and conditional draft pick.

Ward, 37, has 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) and is a minus-17 in 60 games. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Pogge, 23, has spent the entire season with San Antonio of the AHL. He has gones 12-7-3 with a 2.57 goals against average and .920 save percentage. He is scheduled to become a restricted free agent after this season.

EN Says: We really like this move for the Hurricanes. Their season is clearly going now here. They dump an aging player who might retire after this season and turn him into two future assets. This is great job of turning nothing into something.

We're not crazy about the move for the Ducks standpoint. This move adds some depth on the blue line where the Ducks are a little light, but Ward has had a pretty bad season. That said, he brings some tougness, experience and a few Stanley Cup rings to Anaheim.

(Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)