Pucks of a Feather
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5 Players the Anaheim Ducks Should Target in Preparation for a Retool

By Kennyth M

ST. PAUL, MN - APRIL 02: Jacob Trouba #8 of the Winnipeg Jets follows the play during a game with the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on April 2, 2019 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - APRIL 02: Jacob Trouba #8 of the Winnipeg Jets follows the play during a game with the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on April 2, 2019 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Anaheim Ducks
COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 30: Columbus Blue Jackets center Matt Duchene (95) scores a goal during the second period. The Boston Bruins visit the Columbus Blue Jackets for Game 3 of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH on April 30, 2019. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

3. Matt Duchene, Center, 28 years old, Columbus Blue Jackets (Pending UFA)

Pros

Signing the well-traveled Matt Duchene would give the Ducks one the leagues best center pairings. With Getzlaf in the twilight of his prime, adding the offensively gifted Duchene would allow Getzy to avoid match-ups against the oppositions shutdown line.

Duchene is coming off a stellar playoff performance and is nearly a point-per-game player in the postseason (albeit a small sample size). Duchene has an amazing shot and has been very good in the faceoff dot.  There isn’t a lot to dislike about his game and having personal success with multiple franchises over the past few years ensures his success isn’t tied to a single system.

Cons

The biggest con in signing Duchene will be how many suitors he has; and, consequently the contract he’ll receive. In addition, Duchene has a much-publicized desire to be on a competing team and Anaheim’s struggles this year could make them an afterthought.

To emphasize the point, he joined Ottawa after they mad a run to the Eastern Conference Finals, only to end up in the gutter for the next 1.5 seasons. That being said, the Anaheim Ducks have been one of the most successful franchises since he entered the league and are poised to rebound, so don’t count the mallards out just yet.

Why He’s Available

Quite simply, he wants to be a free agent. His desire to pursue free agency caused Ottawa to ship the pivot to Columbus. Columbus was loading up for a cup run and knew he was a rental, so he’s all but assured to reach the open market. Duchene has earned the right to pick his next franchise. His destination will not be centered around money, his checkbook will be just fine regardless of where he signs, but it’s going to be more about personal fit.

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