Anaheim Ducks Rakell Is A Surprise, Here's How

Anaheim Ducks Rickard Rakell is having a breakthrough season that is ‘surprising’ some, here’s how he’s increased his production to make a name for himself.

A number of NHL scouts found their way to Southern California Sunday night to watch the Anaheim Ducks beat the Calgary Flames by a score of 5 to 2. Among the long list of scouts in attendance were members of team Sweden’s World Cup of hockey coaching staff and management group, hoping to get a better look at Rickard Rakell and Hampus Lindholm before Sweden’s initial 16 man roster is due on March 2nd.

After the game, Sweden’s World Cup assistant coach, advisory board member and former NHL’er Johan Garpenlov said that Rakell “has been a huge surprise” claiming that he “did not know him that much before this season.”

I’m assuming most people around the league are also surprised by the season that Rickard Rakell is putting together.

After being sent down to the AHL in December of 2014 last season, for what I now presume to be the final time, Rakell returned to the Ducks with a new found sense of confidence. Over the final 53 regular season games last season Rakell finished with 28 points, 3rd amongst Ducks forwards during that stretch.

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Rakell returned to the Ducks this season with that same confidence and it was apparent that he had put in the extra work this offseason to be a more physically stronger player. He has 33 points on the season and is absolutely making a case to earn a roster spot on Sweden’s World Cup team.

So how has Rakell taken such a giant leap forward this season? Is he being more aggressive? Is his shooting percentage drastically higher? I took a look at a number of things that might help explain why Rakell is playing so well and why we should expect big things from him in the future.

First, I took a look at his ice time which has given him an increased role offensively.

Rakell’s ice time per game is up nearly four minutes and he has been given a lot more ice time on the power play as well. It’s no surprise that the Ducks coaching staff have instilled more confidence in Rakell, he makes smart decisions with the puck and is almost never caught making a bad play in the defensive or neutral zone.

Added ice time has allowed Rakell to increase his offensive production, his scoring rates have jumped this season.

Rakell’s is averaging nearly one more goal and more point per 60 than he was last season. This correlates with the fact that through 55 games this season he has already set new personal bests in goals and points. His primary assists production has jumped a significant amount as well which tells you he is directly impacting play.

So how has Rakell’s offensive production taken such a big step forward? He’s simply being more aggressive in creating scoring chances and generating shots. Rakell has also produced in big moments, four game winning goals so far this season compared to just one last season.

Here’s Rakell’s 5 v 5 individual offense generating numbers this season compared to last season.

Rakell is shooting the puck more and his individual scoring and high danger scoring chances per 60 minutes rates have jumped as well. He’s creating nearly one more scoring chance and one more high danger scoring chance per 60 minutes than he was last season.

Rakell has taken a page out of Corey Perry’s book in terms of aggressive play and with that added sense of offensive urgency comes added offensive production. To this point in the season, Rakell sits behind only Perry in individual scoring chances and individual high danger scoring chances.

Rakell’s aggressive offensive play has also led to him drawing 15 penalties this season compared to just one penalty drawn last season. Defensemen are having a tough time containing his combination of quickness and skill.

But what else has attributed to Rakell’s goal scoring increase? 15 goals so far this season hasn’t happened entirely from puck luck, increased quality of teammates, more ice time or “right place right time.” Improved shot selection has directly increased Rakell’s scoring.

Here’s the percentage of Rakell’s total shot attempts that are on goal as opposed to those that miss the net or are blocked by defenders.

Over 57% of Rakell’s 5 v 5 shot attempts have been on goal this season, nearly a 4.5% increase from last season. His power play shot selection has drastically jumped as well and it’s clear he is finding ways to get the puck on net, something all great goal scorers must do.

Rakell’s overall shooting percentage has jumped 2.5% from last season and that should come as no surprise once you look at his increase in percentage of shot attempts that are on goal. It’s accuracy, better shot selection and increased ability to get shots on net that have attributed to elite offensive production.

Takeaway and Final Thoughts

Rickard Rakell hasn’t just been given an increased role, he’s earned it. His increased offensive production can in some ways be attributed to increased ice time, but he’s doing far more to generate offensive opportunities and put up big numbers.

Anaheim Ducks Rickard Rakell Having A ‘Surprise’ Season, Here’s How He’s Done It

Anaheim Ducks Rickard Rakell is having a breakthrough season that is ‘surprising’ some, here’s how he’s increased his production to make a name for himself.

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