Anaheim Ducks: Don’t Worry About Preseason Record

Ryan Kesler and Dany Heatley

Sep 25, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center

(17) and right wing

(33) celebrate a goal in the third period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Kings won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Last week I made these two separate storylines, but since the two of them are both the biggest acquisitions of the offseason, I put them together to see how they’ve done so far.

Kesler has played in two preseason games thus far and looked pretty good on both appearances. He seems to have found some chemistry with linemates Pat Maroon and Jakob Silfverberg and even connected with them a third period game-tying goal in his appearance.

He currently has one goal and is -1 rating but those numbers shouldn’t be taken to heart. This is through two preseason games with a new team, new line and new system and he has looked good for the most part in it. Especially in areas that are as often looked it. He has seen time on the penalty kill and power play where I expect the Ducks will use him very often. He has utilized his big frame to hold on to the puck, knock opposing players off it and make the smart decisions that get the Ducks scoring chances. He is also right around 66% on face-offs which was of the many reasons the Ducks brought him in and I expect that to pay big dividends this season.

Kesler looks to be settling in and whether his linemates stay the same or change, it looks so far in the preseason that he is just what the Ducks were hoping for in acquiring him.

Dany Heatley started his Ducks career off with a bang, literally.

Just 48 seconds into his Ducks career he ripped home a shot off a Ryan Getzlaf pass that propelled the Ducks to a 4-0 win against Colorado. He has appeared in two more games since then once without Getzlaf and Corey Perry and one more with. Through three games, Heatley has two goals and one assist with a +1 rating. He seems to be gelling with line mates Getzlaf and Perry and if Heatley can produce point per night numbers, Bob Murray looks like an absolute genius bringing him aboard.

I have believed from the start this was a smart, low risk high reward move and so far Heatley is living up to that bill. I am pumping the brakes slightly because just as you shouldn’t go too far negative you shouldn’t go too far positive. This is preseason and you aren’t going up against the best of each team yet. However, we judge what we have seen and so far Heatley looks good and if it continues this could be an absolutely lethal first line for the Ducks.