#4. Maxime Comtois, LW, Ducks, 2018-2023
It remains a bit of a surprise that no NHL team has offered former Anaheim Ducks winger Maxime Comtois a contract yet, but an unimpressive last few seasons combined with the pending Hockey Canada sexual assault investigation will do that. There has been no hints as to whether Comtois has been involved to this point, but it is clear the Ducks will let it be someone else’s problem if something were to come out.
The 50th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft still has plenty of potential, given his age and previous track record of at least one serviceable season. In 2020-21, Comtois scored 16 goals and 17 assists in 55 games – a pace that would have seen him score nearly 50 points over an 82-game season. Since then, the winger has managed just 15 goals and 20 assists over his last two campaigns, partly due to a rapidly declining role in the team.
Comtois has shown the ability to be a competent point producer and agitator alike. The Flyers have a lot more depth on their right than their left, and players like Scott Laughton, Noah Cates, and Nicolas Deslauriers are all one-dimensional. Perhaps Travis Sanheim could put in a good word about his former Team Canada teammate and help the Flyers beef up their flanks.