Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek intends to add key pieces to his roster this offseason, a top-six right-shot winger and a top-four right-shot defenseman. Could he target perhaps the most high-profile free agent on the market, Steven Stamkos?
Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek has made his intentions for the 2024 offseason crystal clear regarding the areas of the roster he means to improve upon.
A top-four right-shot defenseman and a top-six right-shot winger are at the top of his shopping list.
The biggest name on the unrestricted free agency market set to open on July 1 at 9 am PST is two-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner, and current Tampa Bay Lightning captain, Steven Stamkos.
The Anaheim Ducks enter the 2024 offseason with a projected $33.3 million in salary cap space.
"I'd like to find another top-six right winger," Pat Verbeek said at the Ducks post-trade deadline "Ducks Migration" event. "You need a variety and we don't have enough right-hand shots in our lineup."
Though Stamkos (34) has primarily played center for the majority of his career, as his mileage has increased, he has shifted into practically a full-time winger. He will still take (and win) a high percentage of his line's draws, but during play, his responsibilities trend toward that of a traditional winger.
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Stamkos' resume is undeniable as he ranks 30th all-time in goals scored with 555 and 60th in points with 1137. He also ranks 14th in NHL history with 214 power play goals.
He is a fierce competitor who brings talent and intangible qualities in droves. He remains strong along the wall in battles, a terrific decision-maker in transition, and his blistering shot hasn't lost any heat.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have seen key pieces of their roster leave for greener pastures in the last couple of offseasons as they were unable to retain them under the salary cap and their overall team depth has taken a hit.
Down the stretch of the 2023-24 season and in the playoffs, Stamkos played some of his best hockey we've seen, scoring 17 goals and 27 points in his last 20 regular season games and adding five goals and an assist in five playoff games as Tampa lost in the first round to the eventual champion Florida Panthers.
Stamkos' contract negotiations were one of the NHL's biggest storylines heading into the 2023-24 season as his frustrations over a lack of negotiations were apparent.
As of now, there seems to be a separation between Stamkos and Lightning GM Julien BriseBois regarding dollar value, but both parties seemingly want the same outcome; for Stamkos to remain in Tampa Bay as captain of the Lightning.
"Tampa is going to have to change their offer and that still can happen between now and Monday," TSN's Pierre LeBrun said on "Insider Trading" Wednesday. "In the meantime, there are a number of teams lining up hoping they can talk to Stamkos."
The Anaheim Ducks have missed the playoffs for the past six seasons, have their future core in place, are looking to make strides in development, and climb out of the basement of the NHL standings in 2024-25. Pat Verbeek has even stated his desire to be pushing for a playoff spot late into the season.
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“We’ve got cap space in Anaheim, so I’ll be recruiting him if they decide not to re-sign him,” Ducks forward Alex Killorn told Chris Johnston and Joe Smith of The Athletic.
The Ducks have all their young stars ready to assume significant roles and drive Anaheim's offense for years to come. Young forwards like Leo Carlsson (29), Trevor Zegras (23), Mason McTavish (21), and Cutter Gauthier (20) could thrive, flourish, and realize their full potential with an experienced finisher on their wing.
Stamkos is one of the greatest pure finishers in the history of the NHL and while his 5v5 effectiveness and underlying numbers may not be what they once were, his ability to put the puck in the net has not vanished.
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He has scored at the very least at a 30-goal pace over the past six seasons and has produced over a point-per-game over the last eight.
He's at his best on the power play, where 40 of his 81 points came from in 2023-24. The Ducks have dwelled in the lower third of the NHL in terms of power play percentage in five of the last six seasons. Stamkos could give that unit a much-needed boost from the left flank.
Stamkos is one of the greatest captains in the NHL today. His leadership qualities and the values he could inject into the Ducks locker room would be immeasurable.
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Few know of the qualities Stamkos brings on and off the ice better than the Ducks' current general manager Pat Verbeek. Verbeek served the Tampa Bay Lightning organization as Director of Professional Scouting, Assistant General Manager, and/or Director of Player Personnel from 2010 to 2019.
One has to imagine Verbeek is hoping Stamkos makes it to unrestricted free agency without a contract extension, but would Stamkos consider signing in Anaheim?
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Stamkos is a fierce competitor, so the idea of perhaps not making Stanley Cup runs with a new team right away is unappealing to him. His next contract is projected to be a three-year deal with an AAV in the $6-7 million range. The Ducks may have to add some money to that amount to get him to Orange County.
A three-year contract for Stamkos seems like an optimal scenario for the Ducks. That lines up with key development years of their young core and the expiration of other big-money contracts on the current Ducks roster like John Gibson, Alex Killorn, and Ryan Strome.
If Stamkos isn't in a rush to hoist a third Stanley Cup in the next couple of years, there are few better landing spots than in Anaheim next to the Ducks' talented young stars.
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