During their current six-year stretch of missing the playoffs, the Anaheim Ducks’ poor defensive work was at the root of their struggles. The amount of glorious scoring chances permitted, the litany of shots surrendered and the number of goals given up have been downright alarming at times.
Less focus has been on a pop-gun offense lacking scoring depth. This season, the Ducks ranked 30th in the NHL in goals and scored three fewer goals in Year 1 of the Greg Cronin era than in Dallas Eakins’ final season. Injuries to key performers played a role, but Anaheim hasn’t had a top-50 point producer since Rickard Rakell in 2017-18 – its last playoff season. In some years, the Ducks haven’t had a top-100 scorer.
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The Ducks do appear to have a bright future at center. But they’re still dry on the wings. Frank Vatrano did bust out with a 37-goal campaign this season, and he could head up a solid group of left wings. Right wing is a problem area. Troy Terry struggled to reach 20 goals. Ryan Strome got a lot of second-line time and had only 11. Brett Leason and Jakob Silfverberg combined for just 18 tallies.
It makes perfect sense why general manager Pat Verbeek listed obtaining a top-six winger as one of his summer objectives. Verbeek has $33 million in salary-cap space and no major contract extensions to work out. And he has assets to use, with seven draft picks over the first three rounds next week, including the No. 3 and (potentially) the No. 31 selection, along with a bountiful prospect pool.
“Obviously, the easiest way to go about this is, look at the free-agent market when it comes to that,” Verbeek said. “Now, am I closing off any opportunities as far as trade? No, not looking at closing that off either. We’re going to explore multiple ways of how to accomplish that.”
The good thing is, there could be a number of quality wingers available, ranging from promising to useful to cornerstone. Even some change-of-scenery or risk-reward bets. It is often the easiest position to replace. The worrisome element is finding the best fit, the perfect distillation of want and need. Here are some of the players that Verbeek might want to consider.
Shoot-for-the-moon free agents
Sam Reinhart (Florida), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay), Jonathan Marchessault (Vegas), Patrick Kane (Detroit)
Let’s preface this by saying that any or all these players could re-sign with their current teams. Anaheim also may not be a favorable destination if they decide to test the market. But the Ducks have the wherewithal to make a compelling offer in free agency.
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Reinhart certainly will be the prize forward if he doesn’t re-up with the Panthers after his stunning 57-goal season. The Ducks (and any other team) would have to expect some level of scoring regression, but the 28-year-old has moved to elite status thanks to his terrific all-around game to go with this year’s goal explosion. He would make the Ducks better, but is it wise to go north of $10 million annually for him?
It seems unimaginable that Stamkos, 34, would leave the Lightning – or that they would wave goodbye. But their captain has championship pedigree and still has game, as evidenced by his seventh 40-goal season. Verbeek brought Alex Killorn to Anaheim. Perhaps he can make another compelling offer that won’t throw the Ducks’ future salary scale out of whack.
Like the Bolts with their beloved leader, Vegas is another cap-crunched team that has a big decision with Marchessault, its heart-and-soul Conn Smythe Trophy winner. There is similar risk of a drop-off with the 33-year-old Marchessault, but he is coming off a career-high 42 goals and has averaged 30 goals per 82 games over his seven Vegas seasons. He’ll look for one more meaty contract, but he could be more affordable than Reinhart and Stamkos.
Laugh if you will the mention of Kane, but the 35-year-old future Hall of Famer had an amazing comeback from hip-resurfacing surgery. It won’t happen, but wouldn’t it be something to see Trevor Zegras playing with his rejuvenated hero? And after seeing Corey Perry in a Chicago Blackhawks jersey, wouldn’t the sight of Kane in the new Ducks gear be ironic and equally shocking?
Solid, more affordable free agents
Tyler Toffoli (Winnipeg), Jake DeBrusk (Boston), Teuvo Teravainen (Carolina)
There have been rumblings of a Los Angeles reunion for Toffoli, and that wouldn’t be shocking for a Kings team in need of another scorer. But this return to Southern California might be the next best thing. The 32-year-old has been a hired-gun scorer for several teams since his L.A. days, but he made $3.5 million last season and is coming off consecutive 30-goal seasons.
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DeBrusk, 27, has played much more on left wing than on the right during his hot-and-cold tenure with the Bruins but he’s had three seasons of 25 goals or more and he can bring great speed. He just finished a two-year, $8-million contract. Teravainen, 29, has been more of an assist man than a sniper during his eight seasons with the Hurricanes. He has averaged 20 goals and 61 points per 82 games in Carolina and made just under $5.9 million last season.
Stopgap free agents
Vladimir Tarasenko (Florida), Viktor Arvidsson (Los Angeles)
These are not long-term options, but they could inject some veteran scoring and know-how in the offensive end. Acquired by the Panthers from Ottawa at the trade deadline, Tarasenko is healthy and is on the doorstep of a second Stanley Cup championship in his career, so he could be open to a team with young talent on the rise. Arvidsson just finished a contract with the Kings that paid him $4.25 million last season. He has long been a strong secondary producer, but he’s also been dogged by injuries over the past few years. A short-term deal that’s not too costly could work.
Blockbuster trade targets
Mitch Marner (Toronto), Martin Nečas (Carolina), Nikolaj Ehlers (Winnipeg), Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis), Andrei Kuzmenko (Calgary)
The Maple Leafs have been stuck on the same playoff path. Marner, 27, has been viewed as the most trade-worthy part of the Core Four. He’s about to finish a monster contract and is due to get another eight-digit average deal. He’s got a full no-move clause so he could steer his way to another team – if he wants that. But the Ducks have intriguing pieces up front, and he could just play hockey and not bear the brunt of the Leafs’ failures. A trade would only work if he signed an extension, and it would take a lot to get him. And the Ducks would have to be convinced that he could help lift them to playoff success.
Nečas has come up often during chatter by Ducks fans. There is good reason for that. He has a ton of offensive skill, and he’s only 25 — young enough to grow with their developing core but also proven enough to be a present-day impact player, if a bit enigmatic. He has fit in the Hurricanes’ tight, highly effective system but also hasn’t had the prime role he seeks. Could he become a star in Anaheim? I’ve seen Zegras-for-Nečas bandied about. Would that be good for both parties?
Ehlers, 28, and the Jets seem to be headed for a divorce. An extension and trade feels like the best option here for the Dane, who has played right wing at times and has produced seven 20-goal seasons and three 60-point years despite often averaging 15 or 16 minutes. Kyrou, 26, clashed with former Blues coach Craig Berube and isn’t the most committed defensive forward, but he’d offer longtime cost certainty ($8.125 million AAV) and could put up a string of 30-goal seasons.
I’m stretching it here with Kuzmenko in this category, but you don’t see many in-division trades, and something like this might raise an eyebrow or two. He’s 28 and was closer to the player who scored 39 times for Vancouver in 2022-23 following his trade to the Flames than the one who fell out of favor with Canucks coach Rick Tocchet. He’s entering a walk year, and Calgary might not want to extend him.
Youthful trade targets
Alexander Holtz (New Jersey), Kaapo Kakko (N.Y. Rangers)
The Devils are on the hunt for a No. 1 goalie. John Gibson isn’t first on their list but maybe he would move up if they can’t get anything done with other preferred options. Dawson Mercer has been mentioned, but the 22-year-old Holtz could be easier to acquire. Holtz has shown true sniping ability in the limited ice time he gets. Kakko, 23, is a strong possession-minded two-way forward who hasn’t developed the scoring touch worthy of a former No. 2 overall pick. Maybe some time with legendary fellow Finn Teemu Selänne would help unlock that.
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Rehabilitation trade targets
Patrik Laine (Columbus), Reilly Smith (Pittsburgh)
Laine’s star has fallen far after his explosive start in Winnipeg. The 26-year-old played in only 18 games last year as he dealt with injuries and off-ice issues. Both he and the Blue Jackets would like a change. The Jackets would likely have to eat half of his $8.7 million cap hit, but Laine is signed for only two more years and might be obtainable for a lower asset cost. Smith, 33, hasn’t worked with the Penguins, but he’s had success as a secondary scorer with Boston and Florida, and for many years with Vegas. He has a year left on his deal at a $5 million cap number but a lower $4 million in real salary.
The unthinkable trade target
Mikko Rantanen (Colorado)
Why put the 27-year-old Finn here? Well, he’s a year out from UFA status, and while he’s had consecutive 100-point seasons (which include 55 and 42 goals), there’s been some grumbling within the fan base that the $9.25 million AAV elite power forward disappears from time to time. You’d think that the Avalanche would keep him going with Nathan MacKinnon, but GM Chris MacFarland could do a re-shape to deepen their lineup and keep them competitive well into the future.
Would you put the Ducks’ No. 3 pick into a package for Rantanen, provided he signed an extension? Would you send Terry home to Denver with the probable No. 31 pick (originally belonging to Edmonton) and a quality prospect? There is probably a small chance that the Avs would ever consider trading Rantanen, but it never hurts to kick the tires.
Others (of varying levels) to consider
Dakota Joshua, Vancouver; Tyler Johnson, Chicago; Philip Tomasino, Nashville; Oliver Wahlstrom, N.Y. Islanders; Arthur Kaliyev, Los Angeles; Victor Olofsson, Buffalo, Jason Zucker, Nashville.
(Top photo of Steven Stamkos: Mike Carlson / Getty Images)
