What Defensive Pairings Will We See From The Anaheim Ducks?
By Paul Miller
What Works
Apr 25, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) moves the puck defended by Anaheim Ducks defenseman Ben Lovejoy (6) during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
First off, what pairings do we know work well together and are likely to see paired together again?
Fowler-Lovejoy
Often paired together against the opponents top lines, Cam Fowler and Ben Lovejoy had career seasons last year while playing with each other. This mobile duo had evident chemistry and was often seen as the Ducks shutdown line. While not being big and strong defensemen, they played well when they had the puck and were able to create offense by moving the puck up ice.
Beauchemin-Lindholm
Beauchemin has gone through a few different partners since he and Scott Neidermayer made such an effective pairing. The team tried to make him and Fowler work, but the chemistry just wasn’t there. He and Sheldon Souray made a great pair, but then Souray got injured and hasn’t come back.
In Souray’s absence, Boudreau paired Beauchemin with rookie Hampus Lindholm which paid off quite well. The two learned quickly how to play off one another and how to rely on one another.
It made for a highly successful rookie season for Lindholm and another big season for veteran defenseman Beauchemin.
Allen-Vatanen
The Bryan Allen/Sami Vatanen pairing made for a potent duo. The only thing keeping them apart last season was Vatanen’s two-way contract constantly sending him back to Norfolk. Now Vatanen is here to stay and I’m sure we’ll be seeing much more of him.
The two of them are polar opposite types with Bryan Allen being a stay-at-home, big bodied defenseman and Vatanen being the small, quick, puck-moving defenseman. The result of their pairing makes for a complete defense.
There you go. There are your three defensive pairings for next season. That would be the case, except there’s still Mark Fistric and Clayton Stoner to think about.
Lines and defensive pairings are constantly changing from season to season. Will we see Stoner or Fistric make their way into the lineup past guys like Allen, Lindholm, and Vatanen?