The Anaheim Ducks desperately need to add more depth pieces in the offseason, especially players who can contribute offensively. General manager Pat Verbeek has emphasized signing forwards with speed and grit to bolster the bottom-six forward group. Pending unrestricted free agents who embody those qualities should be plentiful come July 1, but some players in particular would be exceptional fits for the Ducks heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
Duck’s Free Agent Targets for Forward Depth
Dakota Joshua, LW
Dakota Joshua is coming off a breakout season with the Vancouver Canucks in 2023-24. He supplied personal bests in goals (18), assists (14), points (32), shots on goal (84), blocked shots (40), hits (245), game-winning goals (5), and average ice time per contest (14:23). Joshua did benefit from a career-high 21.4 shooting percentage, which probably won’t be sustainable. Still, he brings a great deal of versatility to the table.
He spent the majority of the season playing on a very effective third-line combination for the Canucks alongside Conor Garland and Teddy Blueger, who is also eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. The trio received plenty of praise throughout the season for their ability to move the puck quickly out of the defensive end and their propensity to create scoring chances. The combination was affectionately called “The Life Line” because of its consistency and reliability. Stepping into a different situation would be an adjustment, but head coach Greg Cronin would benefit tremendously from having a player of Joshua’s skillset and drive.
Daniel Sprong – LW, RW
As a member of the Detroit Red Wings in 2023-24, Daniel Sprong accounted for 18 goals and 43 points in 76 games. That’s similar production to his 2022-23 showing for the Seattle Kraken, which culminated in him collecting career highs in goals (21) and points (45) across 66 outings. Last campaign, he was credited with a personal-best 160 shots on target.
He won’t bring much physicality to the table, but the 27-year-old winger has speed to burn. He is more than capable of chipping in offensively and racking up shots on goal despite logging limited minutes. Sprong can also occupy a spot on the second power-play unit. He possesses an incredibly underrated shot, which can beat opposing netminders from any distance in the offensive zone. “There are three things that make his shot elite,”
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