Coming off another successful season where the Ducks managed to reach the Western Conference Finals they are the favourites in the rising Pacific Division. The Ducks did not add much over the off season but they also managed to keep their stud defensive core intact through the expansion draft process. Anaheim is a contender for the Stanley Cup but if the veterans continue to decline their play it could be hard to beat the younger teams.
Arrivals/Departures
Arrivals: Ryan Miller, Dennis Rasmussen, Derek Grant, Steve Oleksy
Departures: Shea Theodore, Nate Thompson, Clayton Stoner, Simon Despres
Forwards:
Ryan Getzlaf is still the best player on the Ducks and he showed it the way he dominated the Flames in the first round of the playoffs with his passing and aggressiveness. Corey Perry's production took a big dip last season scoring under 20 goals for the first full season since 2007 but he should return to form. The last member of the first line will be Rickard Rakell who broke out last season scoring 33 goals. Ryan Kesler is among the best second-line centers in the NHL as he plays a great defensive game alongside sniper Jakob Silfverberg and speedster Andrew Cogliano who has yet to miss a game in his career. Every time Silfverberg had the puck in the playoffs and took a shot it felt like the puck was going in so watch for him to push for 30 goals. Antoine Vermette will center a solid third line that includes last year's trade deadline addition Patrick Eaves who the Ducks signed to an extension after a career year. The other member of the line will be Nick Ritchie who plays the Ducks style of hockey with his aggressiveness and physicality. The fourth line is full of grinders who struggle to score but keep the puck out of the net in Chris Wagner, Logan Shaw and Dennis Rasmussen. Ondrej Kase and enforcer Jared Boll will likely be the depth player while Sam Carrick could crack the roster as well.
Defenceman:
The defence remains one of the best in the NHL to match the Ducks' biggest competition in the Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames. After months of trade rumours, Cam Fowler got locked up for eight more years silencing the rumours as he remains the staple point of the defence. Alongside Fowler will be Sami Vatanen who was thought to have been gone during the expansion draft but he too remains with the Ducks. Hampus Lindholm is a great possession defenceman who will continue to work alongside and improve Josh Manson. Manson has changed his game from an enforcer role to a true top-four defenceman over the past couple of years. Kevin Bieksa is getting old and may be too slow to play but he will suit up beside up-and-coming Brandon Montour who showed flashes during his stint with the team. Korbinian Holzer will be the depth defenceman while Jaycob Megna may compete for a roster spot too.
Goaltending:
John Gibson is an average starter but he is still very young for a goalie so he should continue to improve next season. If Gibson falters down the stretch or gets hurt again, the Ducks brought in Ryan Miller who should be one of the best backups in the NHL and could take the pressure off of Gibson. Miller is a proven goalie who could turn the goalie situation in Anaheim into a split playing time scenario.
Projected Lineup:
Top 10 Players:
10. Andrew Cogliano
9. John Gibson
8. Rickard Rakell
7. Sami Vatanen
6. Jakob Silfverberg
5. Hampus Lindholm
4. Cam Fowler
3. Corey Perry
2. Ryan Kesler
1. Ryan Getzlaf
Projected Finish: 105 Points (1st in Pacific)
Last Year: 105 Points (1st in Pacific)
Last Year: 105 Points (1st in Pacific)
Photo credit for Ryan Miller and Cam Fowler goes to http://www.foxsports.com/. Ryan Getzlaf goes to http://www.sportsnet.ca/. Corey Perry goes to https://www.si.com/.
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