Anaheim Ducks Should Trade For Ryan Kesler
By Jason Byun
2. Kesler is a heart-and-soul guy and a leader
Apr 5, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Los Angeles Kings defenseman
Willie Mitchell
(33) checks Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler (17) into goaltender
Jonathan Quick
(32) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Kesler brings fire and determination to the rink everyday because he wants to win that badly. You see him throwing himself in shooting lanes to block shots and trying to make the play to win the game. Spezza doesn’t have that same determination. In 2007, when the Senators faced the Ducks in the Stanley Cup Finals, Spezza looked broken by the end of the series.
Playing for the highest stakes, Spezza ultimately contributed very little to the Senators, finishing with only two assists in the five games. On the other hand, Kesler was hurt in the 2011 Cup Finals with a torn labrum. Had he been healthy, the Canucks may have won that Cup and not be in the mess of a situation they are currently in now.
Remember, when the Ducks won the Cup in 2007, they had Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger leading the way. This Ducks team lacks the same leadership as the one that won it all seven years ago: Getzlaf does his part, but the guys around him have not stepped up in the biggest moments. Game 4 of the Dallas series summed this up pretty well. With Getzlaf out, the Ducks went up 2-0 in the 1st period on the road, only to completely lose their composure against the Stars. Without their leader, the Ducks fell apart mentally, showcased in the fight between Perry and Antoine Roussel.
Kesler is also a leader that the Ducks can use in their locker room. Only Getzlaf, Perry, and Beauchemin remain from the Ducks’ Stanley Cup team. It’s about time they add some leadership.