How The Ducks Attack The Offseason

1. Add a true No. 2 Center.

Jan 5, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Ryan Kesler (17) has a shot saved by Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Anybody who has followed the Ducks closely for the last year or so knows that this is the most pressing need of the Ducks. Behind Ryan Getzlaf, the Ducks lack strength down the middle. With Koivu not being given a contract, it seems that the Ducks are ready to give Rakell full-time minutes at the NHL level (provided he is not dealt). However, none of the other centers (Nick Bonino, Mathieu Perreault, and Rakell) are true No. 2 Centers at this point, and it would do the Ducks well to upgrade at this position.

Center is the franchise position of the NHL because success in the NHL is done down the middle and out. The Kings, Blackhawks, Bruins and Penguins have won the last six Stanley Cups, and each has a franchise centerman (Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Toews, Patrice Bergeron, and both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, respectively). It is no surprise that Team Canada has had success in the Olympics as well: their strength down the middle was incredible with Crosby, Toews, Getzlaf, Bergeron, John Tavares, and Matt Duchene, and no other country was able to match that force down the middle.

The Ducks are not a great face-off team. Only Perreault and Koivu won more than half of their draws, and the team’s weakness was exposed when Anaheim was carved up in the circle by both Dallas and Los Angeles in the playoffs. The Ducks also lack power-play players. The team could use another puck-mover or net-front presence, the two roles that a centerman usually plays with the man advantage.

There are great centermen available throughout the league. The Ducks have been heavily linked to Ryan Kesler since the March 5 trade deadline. Jason Spezza is another name that the Ducks have been rumored to covet. Joe Thornton could potentially be dealt by the San Jose Sharks in a rebuilding effort, and although less likely, both Paul Stastny and Ryan O’Reilly could be targets from the Colorado Avalanche. There will be plenty of rumors surrounding the Ducks and a center, but it is imperative that the Ducks find a way to improve their situation down the middle, where they were picked apart by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2nd round. Whether it is by trade or through free agency, the Ducks must improve their situation down the middle immediately.