Ducks upcoming preseason games & players to watch
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The start of hockey has us all excited again. The buzz of hockey news, practice reports and so much more flooding the interenet. For all of us hockey fans we have awoken from our hibernation and are drinking it all in. Four days of training camp is now behind us and the fun is just beginning. While the coaches can scrutinize all the off season work, and the players compete for jobs, we can enjoy hockey on tv again. The Ducks will now have four games over the next five days including three in a row starting tomorrow night. Coach B already has lines mapped out for the next three games and has indicated that players fighting for jobs will get more ice time.
Won't be specifics on lineups until tomorrow but Boudreau said he's got them mapped out for first three.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) September 15, 2013
While NHL rules state that a minimum of 8 veterans must play in each preseason game, this is the time for fringe and young players to make their move. This is the time to impress the coaches otherwise it’s back to the junior club or Norfolk. Scoring goals in practice and scrimmage is one thing but doing it against competition is another. I don’t know about you but I am excited! Here is the upcoming schedule of games.
Date Opponent Venue Time (PDT)
Monday, Sept. 16 PHOENIX Honda Center 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 17 LOS ANGELES Honda Center 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 18 @ Colorado Pepsi Center 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 20 @ San Jose SAP Center 7:30 p.m.
A few players I am excited to see in game action:
Patrick Maroon-Has entered camp focused, lean and in shape. Can he jump from Norfolk?
Chris Wagner-Great camp so far but can it continue?
Jakob Silfverberg-Can he make us forget about Bobby?
Peter Holland-Can he make the big club and fulfill the clubs need of a second line center?
Daniel Winnik– This camps experiment at center, can he make the switch?
Devante Smith-Pelley-Can he show that two years ago wasn’t a fluke?
Emerson Etem-Is this the year Etem puts it all together?
Hampus Lindholm-Can he make the jump this year and help a depleted D corps?
Sami Vatanen-While his offense is not in question is he too small to play the game?
Cam Fowler-Can he step up and fulfill his potential as a Top 4 defender and a leader?