Detroit Red Wings: 3 free agent forwards Steve Yzerman should sign
By Bob Heyrman
Anthony Duclair
The Ottawa Senators oddly didn’t tender a qualifying offer to pending restricted free agent forward Anthony Duclair after disagreeing on a contract extension coming off of his best goal-scoring effort as a professional (23) making him an unrestricted free agent.
Here’s a player, the Detroit Red Wings, should pounce on for the right price, of course. Duclair is just 25-years old, coming off of a 40-point campaign, the second-best of his career.
The heavily traveled young forward has had his fair share of ups and downs throughout his young career. Still, playing with a whopping five different organizations after being drafted in the third round, 80th overall of the 2013 NHL Entry Level Draft isn’t good for anyone.
Duclair appeared in just 18 games with the Rangers before moving on to Arizona, where he burst onto the scene playing as a regular in the league for the first time. The Quebec native recorded 20 goals and totaled 44 points in his first season with the Coyotes.
He hadn’t come close to mirror that same production before this past season in Ottawa. The young forward also spent time in Chicago and Columbus. Over the last two seasons, Duclair has recorded 73 points and totaled 43 goals.
He’d make a perfect second-line winger on this current Red Wings team. Understanding on a playoff team, he’d be an ideal third-line forward. Duclair has decided to represent himself during contract negotiations; he’s a forward Steve Yzerman should look to obtain and potentially double the former annual salary that paid him $1.65 million per season.