Anthony Duclair could be a top-six player the Wild target in free agency.
Minnesota missed the playoffs for just the second time in the last 12 seasons and the first since 2019. They will try to get back into the playoffs next year and signing one or two players in Free Agency could help them do that.
The Wild aren't going to sign Sam Reinhart, Jake Guentzel, or Elias Lindholm. They would likely look to a few bottom-six type players to round out their depth or hope to land a cheap top-six forward.
Anthony Duclair – Left Wing (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Stats: 42 points (24 G, 18 A) in 73 games, 2 points (0 G, 2 A) in 5 playoff games
2023-24 Salary - $3,000,000
This could be a sneaky option for the Wild. Duclair posted 16 goals and 27 points in 56 games for the San Jose Sharks before he was traded to the Tamba Bay Lightning at the deadline.
After the trade, Duclair recorded eight goals and 15 points in 17 games. He provided some depth scoring to Tampa's middle-six and even recorded two power-play points as well.
Evolving Hockey has Duclair projected to get a four-year deal worth under $5 million. The 5-foot-11 forward has been on eight teams in the last ten seasons so I'd imagine Duclair would like a long-term deal.
Duclair, 28, has been a free agent once in his career. He signed a three-year deal with the Florida Panthers at $3 million a season.
If the Wild could get him on a one or two-year deal worth around $2-3.5 million a season, it would be a steal of a contract.
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