Anaheim Ducks Player Grades: Ryan Getzlaf
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It has been a spectacular two-year run for the Anaheim Ducks captain.
In the abbreviated 2012-13 season, Ryan Getzlaf played 44 games and lead the Ducks with 15 goals and 34 assists for a total of 49 points.
When the 2013-14 season ended, Getzlaf again found himself on top of the points leader board for the Ducks. Getzlaf recorded 31 goals and 56 assists for 87 points.
After another stellar season, Getzlaf finds himself as a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP and continues to shine in Anaheim.
Regular Season
Dec 17, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) skates with the puck in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Anaheim won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
For majority of the beginning of the season, Getzlaf played on the top line with Corey Perry and Dustin Penner. The trade deadline came and the Ducks sent Penner to the Washington Capitals for a draft pick.
Getzlaf’s best game was against the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 8th. The Captain tallied a hat trick. I remember sitting at the bar watching the game at the opening night of Selanne’s Steak Tavern that evening. The Ducks went on to win that game 5-3 as Getzlaf recorded four points total.
For the remainder of the season Bruce Boudreau rotated various players on the top line with Getzlaf and Perry. Teemu Selanne, Jakob Silfverberg, and Kyle Palmieri were amount some of the players that rotated on the first line. Despite this shuffling of players, it did not affect Getzlaf’s play or production.
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Regular Season Grade: A
Playoffs
Apr 25, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) celebrates with his team after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. The Anaheim Ducks won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Getzlaf continued to play well in the playoffs. He again led the team in total points with 15. He had four goals and 11 assists despite missing Game 4 against the Dallas Stars.
In Game 1 of the series against the Stars, time was winding down and the Stars tried to desperately tie the game. Tyler Seguin took a point shot with about 16 seconds left that went high and hit Getzlaf in the face. He didn’t return for the rest of the game and it was determined he had a large laceration on his chin.
Getzlaf came back and played in Game 2 with a face shield leading the Ducks to another victory. In Game 3 Getzlaf squared off with Antoine Roussel in fight and was hit in the face throughout the game by other Stars’ players. He had to sit out Game 4, but at the time no one was sure why. We later learned it was a shoulder strain that kept him out of Game 4.
He did return for Games 5 and 6 leading the Ducks to their first playoffs series win since the 2008-09 season. The Ducks advanced and played their crosstown rival Los Angeles Kings. Despite losing in seven games, Getzlaf played well with a goal and seven assists.
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Post Season Grade: A
Future
February 28, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) moves the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
I fully expect Getzlaf to lead the Ducks to another successful season next year. I am excited to see what players the Ducks acquire in the off season to make another post season push. If the Ducks get another winger to play with Getzlaf and Perry, then the sky’s the limit next year.
Getzlaf proved himself worthy as the Ducks captain this past season and moving forward. With all the punishment his body took in the playoffs and his ability to still play hard, he was certainly a warrior on ice.