What Makes Patrick Maroon a Top Six Forward for the Anaheim Ducks?

Sep 28, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defender Matt Greene (2) and Anaheim Ducks left wing Patrick Maroon (19) battle for the puck during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret that the Anaheim Ducks have a plethora of talent in the forward position.  From Veteran players like Dany Heatley to up and coming young players like Devante Smith-Pelly, The Ducks have plenty of options to play around with.

During the offseason, the Ducks acquired Ryan Kesler to Center the second line behind Ryan Getzlaf.  Bruce Boudreau put Jakob Silfverberg and Patrick Maroon to play alongside him during the preseason.  When Dany Heatley went down with a groin injury, Boudreau Moved Patrick Maroon up to the top line beside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.

What is it about Patrick Maroon that has earned him such reverence from the Anaheim coaching staff?  He’s not exactly the flashy, high scoring kind of player you typically see on the top two lines yet he fits into that role very well.  What does he do that makes him such a prominent player in the Ducks lineup?

Battles Along the Boards.

Patrick Maroon knows how to protect a puck along the boards.  He’s got great size and strength, and uses all of that to keep possession of the puck deep in the offensive zone.  For a team like the Ducks, a forechecking team that relies heavily on a dump and chase style of offense, a player that can win battles on the boards is an important piece in the lineup.

Great Stickhandling Skills

One of the more deceptive parts of Maroon’s game is his great talent when handling the puck.  It’s one thing to be able to protect the puck, but it’s another thing to be able to do something with it.  Maroon has great vision on the ice and can create offense from deep in the offensive zone using his excellent stickhandling.

Consistency

Patrick Maroon hardly ever has an off night.  He knows his role on the ice and he goes out there to do it to the best of his ability.  A player like that is extremely valuable, especially if it’s the kind of player that Patrick Maroon is.  His physicality and skills with the puck are a tough combination to come by and knowing what you’re going to get out of him each time he steps on the ice makes him even more valuable.

Patrick Maroon may not fit the mold of the typical top six forward, but he definitely fills the role well.  His skill set is not something that comes easily to a lot of players, and in some ways it makes him more valuable than a flashier, less workman-like player.  He’s relied upon not only to score goals, but also to support the high scoring players.  He’s relied upon to create offense, not just for himself, but for the team.  A player like that is indispensable in a top six role.

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