Ducks' Free Agent Center Targets After Recent Injury News

The Anaheim Ducks have lost one of their centermen, Isac Lundestrom, for about six months as he recovers from achilles surgery. While the Ducks already had more than enough money to add another player this offseason, they now have an even bigger need to do so.

Lundestrom played in the third line center role, and while the Ducks could make their center depth Trevor Zegras, Ryan Strome, and Mason McTavish, that will hurt McTavish's development if he's playing in the bottom-six, and they would have no safety net. With all three in the top-six, the Ducks will be fine after moving a piece or two at the trade deadline and if they experience any injuries.

There is a slight chance a prospect takes the third line role. If so, it wouldn't hurt their development while still playing a decent amount of minutes and with solid talent. Those prospects could be one of Leo Carlsson, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Nikita Nesterenko, or even Nathan Gaucher.

More realistically, they could pick through the bargain bin in free agency and bring in Eric Staal, Pius Suter, or Paul Stastny. Two of the three would bring some great veteran leadership while Suter has the most potential of the group. Watch for the Ducks to make a move.