2020 Free Agency: Three depth forwards that would be perfect for Vegas Golden Knights
1. Anthony Duclair, LW
We live in strange times right now and that is reflected by the lacklustre start of NHL Free Agency, which has been a letdown compared to recent years.
With just 81 signings made with a grand total of $119,354,250 spent on Day One, a number of big-hitters are still left on the open market including defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and forwards Taylor Hall and Mike Hoffman.
Of course, Pietrangelo looks to be on the cusp of signing for the Golden Knights and, once one huge domino signs, it could be that the rest fall soon after.
But one other interesting name still out there is forward Anthony Duclair, who enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence with the Ottawa Senators during the 2019-20 season.
After struggling to make his mark with the New York Rangers, the Arizona Coyotes, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Columbus Blue Jackets, Duclair finally found a perfect fit with the Senators.
He recorded 14 points (8 G, 6 A) in 21 games in 2018-19 after being dealt by the Blue Jackets, but he really elevated his game in 2019-20.
Duclair put up 23 goals and 17 assists for 40 points in 66 games, while averaging 16:16 minutes of ice time.
The forward also recorded 39 blocked shots, 53 hits and 18 Takeaways, and he has the intangibles needed to be a solid two-way player in the NHL.
Also, Duclair’s biggest weapon is his speed and he could be a lethal weapon on both the power play and on the penalty kill for the Golden Knights, while he would be a perfect fit on a third-line with Alex Tuch and Chandler Stephenson.
Duclair’s breakout year with the Senators saw him rewarded with his first ever trip to the All-Star Game, with the 25-year-old coming sixth in the 2020 All-Star Fastest Skater competition.
After not being qualified by the Senators, Duclair is now a UFA and he would pack an offensive punch for most teams in the National Hockey League.
With the Golden Knights needing secondary scoring and with their game built on speed, Duclair would be a perfect fit and, with Taylor Hall and Mike Hoffman still out there, Duclair might consider taking a discount in oder to play sizeable minutes for a contender.