Anaheim Ducks 15-16 Way Too Early Line-up

The draft is over, and free agency is in full swing. And while we are still three month away from puck drop on opening night of the 2015-2016 season, it’s never too early to put a line-up together.  The Anaheim Ducks have gone through quite a bit of change since their gut wrenching Western Conference Finals loss, and it looks like they’re stocking up for another run at Lord Stanley’s Cup. Barring any more moves or changes this is what I believe the Ducks line-up will look like come October.

1^st Line: Patrick Maroon– Ryan Getzlaf– Corey Perry

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This line stayed mainly in tact through last season and virtually all of the playoffs. They are all big bodies, physical along the boards, and play a smash-mouth cycling style that wears down the opposition and provides them with scoring opportunities. It’s hard to argue with results and when the three combine to put up 159 regular season points and another 49 in 16 playoff games how can you split them up? Getzlaf and Perry have a knack for finding each other and Maroon is the beneficiary of their star power. But can put the puck in the net and make slick passes when needed. Since the Bobby Ryan trade it seems like the other wing on their line has been a revolving door but they may have finally found the missing piece in Maroon. Especially after going through a whole season and deep playoff run they should have developed even more chemistry together and will look to once again be a top line not only in Anaheim but in the rest of the league.

2^nd Line:  Carl Hagelin– Ryan Kesler– Jakob Silfverberg

Some turnover on this line as I’m sure most would have liked to see Beleskey back in this spot after the great playoff the three of them had. But in the salary cap era change is inevitable and I think keeping two of the three together is pretty good. Yes Silfverberg and newly acquired Carl Hagelin need to sign but the Duck seem positive they will. And when they do look out for this line. Kesler was dynamic in his first season in SoCal and he’s ticked off at the way last season ended. Kesler knows his championship window won’t remain open forever and will do everything in his power to make sure next season is his year. He and Silfverberg had a coming out party of sorts in the post-season and you can bet they will try to continue you that great chemistry going into 15-16. Hagelin essentially replaces Matt Beleskey bringing near identical numbers, Hagelin 35 points Beleskey 32 points in the regular season and 5 points and 9 points respectively in the playoffs. Haeglin also adds more speed to this line which should help the unit as a whole. Silfverberg absolutely found confidence being placed in a top 6 role and with Kesler and Hagelin alongside him this is going to be a fast and physical line.

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3^rd Line: Andrew Cogliano– Rickard Rakell– Jiri Sekac/Nick Ritchie

No more Kyle Palmieri, no more Emerson Etem so there will be a new face at the least on this line. Cogliano has been steady, clutch, and a fan favorite since he arrived in Anaheim. He is always a threat to make things happen with his break-neck speed and great instincts. With a full season under his belt expect Richard Rakell to take the next step. Rakell showed flashes of brilliance and what he can be at this level and now he just needs to be more consistent. Learning from centers like Getzlaf, Kesler, and Nate Thompson should help Rakell in the dots and he now knows how to play at this level.

The other wing is a little bit of a question mark as it depends on how the coaching staff feels. Jiri Sekac has speed comparable to Cogliano and the hands to make defenders look silly. He didn’t get too many chances last season but with the log jam of wings cleared a bit here could be his chance. If he or Cogliano are in open ice and good luck catching them. However should the Anaheim Ducks want to go a more physical route and if he’s ready young stud Nick Ritchie could be on this line. He is a former first round pick and some think he could threaten to take a spot on the NHL roster. Ritchie was a great scoring power forward in Canadian Juniors putting up a combined 62 points in 48 games for Peterborough and Soo. Ritchie would only be 19 when next season starts so that is extremely young but if he’s ready he could add huge size to a smaller third line.

4^th Line: Chris Wagner/Max Friberg– Shawn Horcoff (Nate Thompson)-Jiri Sekac/Nick Ritchie

Talk about turnover as only one member of this line saw significant time in Anaheim last season. And that person Nate Thompson is sidelined until at least Christmas due to shoulder surgery this summer. Both Chris Wagner and Max Friberg showed they can compete at this level though in extremely limited time. However if not now when for these two as they need to the opportunity to jump to the NHL stage. Newly signed Shawn Horcoff can cover for Thompson until his return and move to wing after or provide a fail-safe should Rakell falter at center. The other wing will be manned by whoever doesn’t work well on the third line or should the coaching staff want specific players with each other. Sekac would increase the speed of the line while Richie would add physicality and if not ready put him in a lower risk scenario on the fourth line instead of the third. This is without a doubt the toughest line to predict because it’s dependent upon who performs at camp.

Possible Line-Up Breaker/Injury Call Up: Stefan Noesen, Nic Kerdiles

1^st D Pair: Simon Despres– Cam Fowler

This could be the Ducks top pair for the next decade and I don’t think most would mind. Both are young, smart, and great skaters. They use their legs to escape the defensive zone and can both make a good first pass. They complement each other well as Fowler is more offensively minded but Despres is more physical. So it allows for Fowler to jump up in the play and add offense and Despres helps in the defensive zone as he knocks people off the puck and gets the Ducks back on the attack quicker. Front office wasn’t sure Despres would make such an immediate impact but he and Fowler clicked instantly and seamlessly and it should be great to watch the two of them work for a whole season. They each get extremely valuable playoff experience and performed in the post-season so that should help them going forward. They saw what it takes to win and know how tough it is. They’ll be leading the charge on the back-end and the Ducks should be extremely happy about it.

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2^nd D Pair: Hampus Lindholm– Kevin Bieksa

Out goes Francois Beauchemin and in comes Kevin Bieksa. Beauchemin was a fan favorite and mentor to young Hampus Lindholm but due to the NHL we live in some players will leave. The Ducks did great in bringing in Bieksa and he could be another player that flourishes in a new environment. Bieksa is younger than Beauchemin and a little bit more physical. He should be able to seamlessly slide into this pair and love playing with star in the making Hampus Lindholm. Bieksa only managed 14 points last season and while he isn’t an offensive defenseman he should be able to manage better than that on a better Anaheim team. Being with Lindholm and not spending so much time in his own zone should improve that. Since Lindholm has only played with Beauchemin in the NHL it will be interesting to see how he responds to a new partner but signs point to Lindholm being an All-Star in this league and he should be able to acclimate. Bieksa has been there before, losing in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals so he knows what it takes and will no doubt be hungry for a Cup. He will bring an instant leadership quality on defense on the ice and in the room. Lindholm shouldn’t miss a beat with Bieksa as a partner.

3^rd D Pair: Sami Vatanen– Clayton Stoner

Should this pair become Vatanen and Josh Manson/Shea Theodore I don’t think many would mind. Clayton Stoner though physical and coming off a decent playoff performance is someone I want to see limited ice time given to. He isn’t a great skater and gets caught out of position. Luckily Vatanen is a slick skater and great puck handler and can make up for some of Stoner’s mistakes. The pair played a large majority of time together last year and became accustomed to how each other play. And as a bottom pairing they need to be serviceable not phenomenal. Vatanen is able to be an offensive threat because Stoner stays at home and knows when to get the puck to Vatanen. They do complement each other well as Vatanen is a great skater and extremely offensive minded, while Stoner is much more physical and stay at home. This pairing had their moments last year especially on the penalty kill and hopefully they can continue that.

Possible Line-Up Breaker/ Injury Call Up: Josh Manson, Shea Theodore

Goalie 1: Frederik Andersen

Even with the trade for Anton Khudobin it looks like it’ll be the two young studs between the pipes for the Ducks. As it stands right now Frederik Andersen is without a doubt number one. He had a great season where he showed he can handle the work-load and pressure and was dynamite for virtually all the playoff games. He took major steps forward especially in the post-season in not letting the bright lights rattle him although they may have got to him at the end of the West Finals. Andersen wasn’t on his game in Games 5-7 and it’s something that the Ducks will have to keep an eye on. Headed into camp its Andersen’s job to lose and he’ll have to bring his A game as John Gibson will be knocking at the door.

Goalie 2: John Gibson

The mega phenom in John Gibson hasn’t had the success he’s wanted at the NHL level yet. He’s shown it in moments and it may be unfair to criticize a 21 year old kid. Injuries completely hampered Gibson last season and that along with Andersen’s play caused him to lose the net. Ducks front office is extremely high on him and despite the play of Andersen I believe the Ducks view Gibson as the goalie of the future in Anaheim. He’ll get his shot this season for sure as it wasn’t play that derailed last year for him. He is no doubt behind the 8 ball but he played well in the games he did appear in and will absolutely push himself and Andersen to be on their game every night.

The season is still months away and changes could occur. There is also no way to know who will shine during training camp and surprise us all. But we’d love to hear from you on your lines and pairs and anything you agree or disagree with. Share on the comments or on Twitter/Facebook.

Next: Why the Anaheim Ducks Should Inquire About James van Riemsdyk