Anaheim Ducks Rumors: 3 Offseason Top-6 Winger Targets

The Anaheim Ducks finished last in the NHL this season and had a horrible goal differential. They didn't expect to finish as low as they did, but injuries got in the way of their plans. That being said, they have multiple areas to address if they want to take a step in the right direction. Their young players have another year under their belt and the team has a lot of money that should be spent on bringing in pieces to surround the young core. Here are three top-six wingers the Ducks should go after in the offseason.

William Nylander

A lot depends on what the Toronto Maple Leafs do in the playoffs this season. They have lost six consecutive first round series and their core is nearing the end of their contracts. It will be extremely difficult for them to keep the core four together when they are all in need of new contracts and will be expecting raises.

This is where the Ducks can come in. The Maple Leafs' priority will be extending Auston Matthews over William Nylander, so more money and effort will be allotted to their former 60-goal scorer. Since Nylander will be going into the final year of his contract and may be difficult to sign again because he has held out once before, the Ducks would have an easier time negotiating with so much extra cap space, even after signing Trevor Zegras, Troy Terry, and Jamie Drysdale. The team also has the assets to be able to make the trade.

Alex DeBrincat

The Ottawa Senators are in somewhat of a similar situation as the Maple Leafs are with Nylander except Alex DeBrincat is still a RFA. The Senators will give him a one-year qualifying offer of $9 million, but Bruce Garrioch said that a trade at the draft may very well be coming if they can't lock him up long-term.

DeBrincat was a nice piece this season, but the Senators still weren't able to make the playoffs. If he isn't looking to sign long-term in Ottawa, Anaheim, who has lots of cap space and will also be on the rise, may be a destination he is willing to settle in. He would fit nicely into the young core that is getting experience and getting better.

Vladimir Tarasenko

Nylander and DeBrincat are a bit younger, but if the Ducks want to bring in some proven scoring and a veteran who knows what it takes to win, Vladimir Tarasenko is their guy. Unlike the other two, the only thing they would have to give up is cap space to bring him in since he will very likely become a UFA after the season with the New York Rangers having no cap space to bring him back.

Tarasenko will likely be looking for a 6-7 year deal, and though it would take him to his late 30s, he's a winner and a consistent goal-scorer. One of the Ducks' main needs is goal-scoring and Tarasenko has six 30-plus goal seasons under his belt.