The Flyers Should Make an Offer to Anthony Duclair

Ever want something sweet? Something that is smooth and fills a void? Something that is french (maybe Canadian) and rich? No, no. I’m not talking about an eclair. I’m not even talking about John LeClair (heyo!).

I’m talking about good ole Anthony Duclair! You know him, you love him, you hate to play against him.

AD, wow. Talk about a fish that has been caught so many times and continues to get thrown back into the ocean. No one wants a 20-goal piece of salmon? Hell, I’ll take it.

GIMME THAT.

A newly UFA (Ottawa did not tender a qualifying RFA to Duclair), I firmly believe that the Flyers should take a run and slide an offer to the 25-year old winger. Many of you don’t like the fact that he’s played for what would be his 6th team by the ripe age of 25. However, allow me to baby-step you through a magical oasis of imagery.

The Flyers, as it stands now, have a ton of playmakers. Think Coots, G, Hayes. Great, right?

All those guys who can pass the puck. What’s missing? Ah! Ahoy! A guy who can finish! Imagine Coots weaving and plowing through 3 defenders through the neutral zone, he spins, somersaults and pirouette’s into the offensive zone and feeds a hungry Anthony Duclair in the slot and the Flyers win the cup (yay).

One guy I want to see the Flyers sneak an offer sheet to?

Anthony Duclair.

Get that guy in a Flyers jersey because we’re made of money and he’s a beast.

— Johnny (Flyers) Hockey (@FlyersJohnny) October 8, 2020

Okay, but seriously.

Duclair is coming off his best season in his short NHL Career so far. He potted 23 goals, 17 assists and 40 points in 2020. In 3 out of his 5 seasons, Duclair has registered 19 (2019), 20 (2016) and 23 goals (2020). DEPTH SCORING.

Personally, I would imagine Duclair’s price tag (taking into account his age, his production so far and his potential), would probably be around 3-4 years and some team will most likely pay an AAV of $3-4.5mil for him.

Duclair is a fairly inexpensive option and the best part? We don’t have to trade Travis Konecny to get him! (Get it together, TSN. TK ain’t moving. I’ll duct tape him here myself).

Listen, by no means am I saying should he be our first choice. However, if a trade for an elite scorer like Laine or Gaudreau never materializes and we are able to dump some salary by moving Ghost ($4.5mil) or JVR ($7mil) then signing a scorer on the rise like Duclair would make sense.

With all these names, free agents and Flyers rumors going around, this is the order of players that id like the Flyers to try and acquire (i know im dreaming):

1. Patrik Laine
2. Johnny Gaudreau
3. Tyler Pitlick
4. Anthony Duclair
5. Bobby Ryan

TRADE SALARY, GET SCORING. GOALS.

— Johnny (Flyers) Hockey (@FlyersJohnny) October 8, 2020

Plus, this team could always use another player who plays with a little piss and vinegar. Duclair has 7 points in 13 career games against the Flyers. Most notably a centerpiece of attention during the Flyers v. Senators game last December, where Scott Laughton scored the GWG in a 4-3 victory (hell of a game).

Duclair can play on either wing and he has the ability to be a fairly inexpensive and consistent 20-goal scorer in the league. I for one, am excited at the opportunity that this guy is even available and I think he would fit well in Philly. Plus, look at this guy helping out a teammate! Definitely no locker room trouble here! Sign Duclair 2020.

Follow me on twitter @FlyersJohnny

Photo Credit: Matt Slocum/AP