Ducks Rumors: Anaheim to Add Toughness via Free Agency

The Anaheim Ducks are rebuilding and general manager Pat Verbeek will do his best this offseason to add some more young talent. Verbeek also needs to find some security for his roster as the Ducks got pushed around too many times last season. Turns out, help could be on the way.

According to Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts, they see free-agent forward Milan Lucic an option for the Ducks. Word is Looch still has a home in California and is contemplating his options this summer. 

The Ducks have close to $40 million in available cap space this summer and Verbeek will need to spend some to round out his roster. Anaheim selects #2 in the NHL Draft next week and are expected to take Michigan Wolverine Adam Fantilli.

As for Lucic, he's one of the more intimidating players in the league and still holds the heavyweight belt. Last season with the Calgary Flames, the bruising winger recorded seven goals and 19 points in 77 games. He'll likely sign a one-year deal around $1.5-2 million. 

If it's not the Ducks, look for the enforcer to have contract talks with the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs. While the 'tough guy' is slowly being taken out of the league, there's still room for Lucic in the NHL and he'll certainly be signing a new deal in less than a week.

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