Pucks of a Feather
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Are the Anaheim Ducks Poised to Make a Big Splash in Free Agency?

By Chris Bushell

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 5: Patrick Eaves #18 of the Anaheim Ducks chats with teammate Ryan Kesler #17 before a face-off during the game against the Vancouver Canucks on March 5, 2017 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 5: Patrick Eaves #18 of the Anaheim Ducks chats with teammate Ryan Kesler #17 before a face-off during the game against the Vancouver Canucks on March 5, 2017 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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Micheal Ferland #79 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates for position on the ice during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 19, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Michael Ferland (Carolina Hurricane/18-19′ Cap Hit: 1.75 million)

Sticking with the more affordable options the Ducks could look to pluck Michael Ferland from Carolina. Ferland had a slow start to his NHL career with the Calgary Flames but was a 40 point getter in his last season north of the border and has followed that up by closing in on another in his first season in Raleigh. He is 4 points shy of breaking his career-high point total and his current 17-20-37 point line shows he is just as good scoring goals as he is at setting them up. He is also a +16 on the season and is a +21 over his last two seasons showing he is a 200ft player that can take care of both ends of the ice. Playing in Calgary he is also familiar with the Western Conference and Pacific Division game so he knows what it takes to have success in that division and conference.

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Ferland is in his mid-20s so just entering the prime of his career and based on his latest cap hit shouldn’t demand the world. Also, like Dzingel, he is on the bigger side; same height as Dzingel but significantly heavier. This could help in what is still a tough cycling division despite the move towards speed and skill. Ferland could be a seamless fit for the Ducks new system and would be a player that Dallas Eakins would love to have. He has been in the league long enough to help the young players but isn’t old enough that you would be signing someone on the back end of his career. Ferland could fit in anywhere line 1-4 giving the Ducks flexibility through the lines and allow Eakins to mix and match wherever he feels Ferland helps most.

The Ducks should have a chip on their shoulder next season. A fresh coach, a fresh system and a fresh start should propel this team back to where they have been the last few seasons before this one. And Kesler and Eaves get to focus on what matters most, their health and their lives post-hockey.

Next. Ducks need to be on to 19-20'. dark

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