Report: Ducks preparing to trade Lindholm after failing to reach extension

The Anaheim Ducks are preparing to trade defenseman Hampus Lindholm after failed extension talks between the two sides, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

The Ducks will hold him out of the lineup Friday against the Florida Panthers to protect him ahead of Monday's deadline, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Lindholm is a pending unrestricted free agent. He and the Ducks reportedly began negotiating a new deal in late February.

Recently appointed general manager Pat Verbeek said he won't let the club's UFA's "walk out the door for free." That group of players includes Lindholm, Rickard Rakell, and Josh Manson, who's already been traded to the Colorado Avalanche.

The Ducks exceeded expectations for much of the season but have since fallen out of the playoff picture in the Western Conference. Anaheim sits five points back of the second wild-card spot with more games played than every fringe team it's chasing.

Lindholm should be a highly valuable piece on the trade market. He can slot into the top four for most contenders and has a palatable $5.205 million cap hit that can be reduced with salary retention.

The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs are among several teams interested in Lindholm, reports ESPN's Emily Kaplan. However, suitors are reportedly waiting to see if Anaheim drops its asking price.

Lindholm was drafted sixth overall by the Ducks in 2012. The 28-year-old has notched 22 points in 61 games this season while averaging over 22 minutes per night.

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