The Anaheim Ducks were one game away from the Stanley Cup Final this season. They have the roster to compete with the top dogs of the Western Conference, but to truly take the next step and get past the likes of the Chicago Blackhawks their roster needs slight tweaking. Here are three free agents who could easily help the Ducks:
1. P.A Parenteau
Drafted by Anaheim in 2001, Parenteau’s return to the organization could have an important impact.Cast off from Montreal due to a coach that doesn’t understand modern offensive hockey, Parenteau can still be a productive player when given the opportunity. He’s listed as a left winger, but due to his right-handed shot he can easily slot in on the right side as well.
To boot, he’s excellent in the shootout thanks to his patented top-corner snipe. His feel for the game has always been excellent, seemingly always being aware of the speed and loft needed on a pass. Though not the strongest nor the fleetest of the foot, Parenteau would easily help address the Ducks’ holes on either the left or right wings. His market value took a hit this season, so Anaheim would be wise to pounce on this bargain.
2. Michael Frolik
No offense to Patrick Maroon, but Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf need someone way more talented on their line. While Maroon does an admirable job of being aggressive on the forecheck, he simply doesn’t have the skill to keep up with his Olympian linemates, as evidenced by his point blank whiffs this year.
Frolik isn’t a prolific scorer, but he’s maintained a strong possession game in past seasons while being able to contribute on the score sheet. His offensive mind for the game would mesh better with “The Twins” than Maroon’s grit-and-grind approach to the game. For the right price, he could be a solid top-six winger for the Ducks. At 26, there’s also still some room for growth in his game.
3. Blake Comeau
A low-cost option for the Ducks, Comeau had a solid season in Pittsburgh, posting some excellent possession statistics while contributing a healthy 16 goals. He made $700K last season for the Penguins, so Anaheim could still well afford him even if he were looking for a raise.
Some might look at Comeau’s shooting percentage last season as a sign that he might have just been lucky, but he’s actually hovered above ten percent throughout his career. What he accomplished last season was no fluke, and even if it was, the price he’ll be asking for makes it a low risk for Anaheim.
