(Ed. Observe: It’s an Olympic year in the NHL. So, naturally, we determined to use the trimmings of the Winter Games to preview all 30 groups for the 2013-14 NHL season. Who takes the gold? Who falls on their triple-axel? Learn on and find out!)
In their first full season – OK, lockout shortened – with Bruce Boudreau as head coach, the Geese sprinted out to steer the Pacific Division, retaining tempo early on with the streaking Chicago Blackhawks in the conference. They completed with a 30-12-6 file and 66 points, earning the No. 2 seed in the West and a first-spherical matchup with the Detroit Red Wings.
Oh, and what a matchup it was: The teams went seven video games, together with four overtime video games, earlier than Detroit eliminated the Ducks in a collection through which Anaheim had two chances to close out the Wings.
So, in the long run, Boudreau didn’t get a extremely-seeded crew out of the first round. Again.
Off the ice, the Geese committed to both Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf with 8-yr blockbuster contracts; however the third member of that trinity of offensive stars, Bobby Ryan, was shipped to Ottawa.
The Geese have strong goaltending, stars to build round and a formidable assortment of young gamers. Does that translate into another playoff berth?
Dave Steckel is magic.
The debates about whether to commerce Bobby Ryan ended when the Ducks finally, truly, truly did trade him to the Ottawa Senators for 22-year-old forward Jakob Silfverberg, 21-12 months-previous forward Stefan Noesen and a first-round decide in 2014.
Replacing Ryan on the left facet? Why, it’s their outdated pal Dustin Penner, signing a $2-million, 1-yr deal after spending a couple of years with the LA Kings. Put area IHOPs on full alert.
Nate Guenin (Colorado) and Troy Bodie (Toronto) left by way of free company. Toni Lydman was unsigned.
Forwards: After his worst season in the NHL, Getzlaf rebounded with a dominant forty nine-level performance in 44 video games, taking part in to a plus-14 and into the Hart Trophy dialog. Perry matched Getzlaf’s aim complete with 15. Kyle Palmieri was with this dynamic duo within the postseason, scoring five factors.
Teemu Selanne showed some rust in a 12-purpose, minus-10 effort final season however stays an asset on particular groups. Plus, it’s his swan music, so anticipate a hell of an effort. Saku Koivu was re-signed for one season and was the Geese’ leading faceoff man. Penner’s a veteran, however he’s coming off two targets in 33 games.
Jakob Silfverberg is a wild card offensively: Huge talent, and he may blossom rapidly if he earns top six minutes.
As is a trademark of Boudreau teams, the grunts contributed to the Geese’ success. Nick Bonino, Matt Beleskey, Andrew Cogliano and Daniel Winnik gave Anaheim high quality performances. Emerson Etem will build off a moderately profitable rookie season, whereas Peter Holland seeks additional improvement.
Defense: Francois Beauchemin had his finest season within the NHL, with 24 factors and a plus-22 and exceptional play till an harm slowed him. Sheldon Souray, second in ice time final season (20:fifty five), will miss not less than the first two months of the season with a wrist damage. Mark Fistric was signed as a veteran placeholder.
Cam Fowler stumbled at the beginning offensively but was a greater all-around defenseman final season. (He’ll even be enjoying for an Olympic berth.)
Luca Sbisa was abjectly horrible final season until the top. Bryan Allen was additionally a disappointment after wanting like a free-agent coup, exhibiting a scarcity of velocity. Ben Lovejoy had his moments, and earned a 3-yr deal in the summer.
Goalies: Here’s a blessing of riches. Jonas Hiller and Viktor Fasth each gained 15 games last season, splitting the starts. The emergence of Fasth made it seem like Hiller and his $4.5 million cap hit (with one season left) would be a goner, but both are back. Can Fasth be as effective his second time ‘round the conference? And the way lengthy will the Geese allow uber-prospect John Gibson to percolate behind them?
Boudreau remains among the best coaches in the National Hockey League, Non-Playoff Version. He activated the staff’s offensive gamers as he did with the Capitals, but once again, postseason success eluded him despite home-ice advantage.
Bob Murray went all-in to keep Perry and Getzlaf from leaving as UFAs which will affect the price range for the remainder of the roster and, frankly, have them under contract effectively into the downside of their careers. However he acquired a sneaky good return for Ryan and continues to search out diamonds within the rough for the supporting forged.
Pretty easy call when the staff has its own triumphant movie theme, no?
The goaltending. You possibly can see why Murray can be hesitant to explode this profitable tandem, as Hiller can steal games and Fasth was a revelation final season.
Getzlaf. He was maligned for one terrible season, however he’s been properly over a point-per-sport participant each season since 2006. Anyone claiming he’s not a star participant is a bald-confronted liar. (OKAY, poor alternative of phrase, contemplating Getzlaf’s sunroof.)
Selanne and Koivu. Another yr with two of the classiest veterans in the NHL on the ice is an efficient yr certainly.
The PK. The Ducks’ power play is a star-studded high 5 group when wholesome. However for the second straight season, their kill was center of the pack.
Battling for the wild card with groups like Edmonton, Phoenix, Minnesota and potentially the Canucks. The Ducks will have to overcome the lack of Ryan’s aim-scoring and hope that the goaltending overcomes the shortcomings of the defense.
But count a Boudreau crew out within the regular season? Fats chance. (OKAY, as soon as again, poor selection of phrase …)
Anaheim Ducks, 2013-14 (Puck Daddy Gold Medal Preview)
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