NHL Rumors: Ryan Getzlaf’s future past this season unknown, Canucks confident in retaining Elias Petterson and Quinn Hughes but will need to trade players

The trade deadline came and went but Ryan Getzlaf stayed with the Anaheim Ducks. What does the future hold for the Ducks 35 year-old captain? That seems a little unclear at the moment based on his recent comments.

Ryan Getzlaf’s future unknown

“[I] would be very hard-pressed to find myself in a different uniform,” Getzlaf said after the trade deadline per The Athletic. “Eight years ago when I signed a no-move clause, I told Bob that day that all I wanted was to be in control if the organization ever felt that they could improve or were forced to make a decision based on me, just to approach me.”

That’s exactly what happened this past week when three teams were reportedly interested. The Penguins, Canadiens, and Golden Knights were ready to bring in the pending UFA as a rental but GM Bob Murray didn’t think the return was worth it. “We narrowed it down and talked. It just wasn’t there,” he said.

What does the future hold for Getzlaf, a man who absolutely loves the being with the Ducks? That will be determined this summer when Getzlaf will undoubtedly be offered more lucrative offers from contenders while the Ducks start to rebuild.

Getzlaf may also not be fully committed to playing next year. The weight of the pandemic has taken its toll on older players the most. So it remains to be seen what he will decide to do and the landscape of what the league will look like next season may play a role in his decision.

Vancouver Canucks see no cap issues this summer