Who are potential linemates for Ryan Kesler?
Current Ducks
Apr 6, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks forward Andrew Cogliano (7) looks to make a pass against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
If the Ducks want to “promote from within” they have a few options to go to. First of which is Andrew Cogliano. Cogliano had a career year last year racking up a career best 22 goals. This was done while Cogs played essentially on the Ducks “checking-line” and had Saku Koivu as his pivot. Nothing away from Koivu but at this point in his career Kesler is a big time improvement.
Kesler is much bigger, much more physical and will create much more open space for Cogliano. Kesler’s puck possession and slick passing could complement Cogliano’s blazing speed extremely well. And if Cogs can find the back of the net 20+ times without Kesler imagine what he can do with him.
The second Duck that could find himself on a line with Kesler is Jakub Silfverberg. Silfverberg became a Duck last season as part of the Bobby Ryan trade and had varying levels of success. He started the season scoring 4 goals in 4 games and showed the kind of pure goal scorer he can be. However a wrist injury that sidelined him for a while and inconsistent play when he returned had him in and out of the line-up.
Silfverberg and the above mentioned Cogliano seemed to play very well together especially in the playoffs when Silfverberg was in the line-up more. So the two of them with Kesler in the middle could be a phenomenal second line. Kesler’s ability to score and facilitate, Coglianos speed and Silfverberg’s quick release this could be the second line the Ducks need to support Getzlaf and Perry.
Only thing that holds this back is Silfverberg is currently an RFA and needs to sign a new contract. Even though Silfverberg had a so-so season, I don’t see the Ducks giving up on him and they would be smart not to.
Should neither of these options pan out for the Ducks they could also go with Kyle Palmieri. Palmieri is signed long term and put with the right players he can be a dangerous scoring threat.
Palmieri has shown to be streaky but maybe putting him with a steady presence like Kesler may also allow him to be more consistent. And with someone like Kesler that is great at setting teammates up giving him a sniper like Palmieri to work with could pay huge dividends and turn Palmieri into a legit scoring threat. That in turn would also take some pressure off of Getzlafs line.
The Ducks cannot go wrong with any of these options but they do have some cap room left even with the addition of Kesler and Nate Thompson.
There are some Free agent options and the two that have been thrown around the most are the following.