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Anaheim Ducks Sunday Editorial – One Door Closes, Another Opens

By Ed Stein |
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 18: The San Jose Sharks shake hands with the Anaheim Ducks after the Sharks sweep the Ducks to win the Western Conference First Round in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 18, 2018 in San Jose, California. The Sharks defeated the Ducks 2-1. (Photo by Scott Dinn/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 18: The San Jose Sharks shake hands with the Anaheim Ducks after the Sharks sweep the Ducks to win the Western Conference First Round in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 18, 2018 in San Jose, California. The Sharks defeated the Ducks 2-1. (Photo by Scott Dinn/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

When one door closes, another door opens. This week we mourn the Anaheim Ducks disappointing end to their season. Then we move on to some of the exciting things we have planned for our readers this summer.

This Editorial will be in two parts. The opening part is my Anaheim Ducks season-ending disgruntled rant. Part two is a preview to the Pucks of a Feather summer schedule.

My Rant

The season is over. I, like the rest of Ducks Nation, am very disappointed. I’m not only upset about the season-ending, but more about how it ended. Should I be? I was warned that this team wasn’t very good by the man running the show, Bob Murray.

The answer is yes I should. In the four to six weeks before the second season started, the Ducks were en fuego. They won big games and went from a borderline playoff team to second place in the Pacific Division. Even when it didn’t have their best game, they found a way to win.

Many times down the stretch, the Anaheim Ducks won because of their goaltending. John Gibson and Ryan Miller had the ability to shut down an opponent, no matter how good they were. Other times, star players like Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell led the team. When the above two options failed, support players like Andrew Cogliano and Derek Grant rose to the occasion and carried the Ducks to victory.

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There’s More

Where did all of that fire go when the Anaheim Ducks had a path to a championship? That is the big Silver Cup question. I think the answer was a combination of things. First, you can fight uphill for only so long. The Ducks, through no fault of their own, were fighting out of a deep hole since Christmas. It had to wear on them.

Next, I took a hard look at the roster. Without Cam Fowler, playing with a less than 100% John Gibson and Ryan Kesler, and finally two-thirds of an all-star Corey Perry; this team was out-gunned against San Jose. This is the real problem. Anaheim doesn’t have enough talent on the current roster to compete for a title based on their veteran core. Yes, it’s harsh but true.

Part Two: Going Forward

The Anaheim Ducks season ended sooner than we all would have liked. That doesn’t mean the coverage stops. Pucks of a Feather has you covered. Here are some of the items we have planned for the summer months:

Editorials – Count on us to bring you great analysis and opinions. We started today with Pucks of A Feather venting week. All of our contributors are going to have a day this week to let it all out. After that, we will tackle potential free agents and trade acquisitions

Lists – Who are the top five Anaheim Ducks defensemen of all time? How about the best backup goalies? We will also cover the best player to wear each sweater number.

Draft Analysis – The NHL entry draft takes place on June 22 and 23. We will review the Ducks draft class and introduce you to the newest members of the Anaheim Ducks organization.

News – The Ducks may not be the most active team in the league, but if a significant transaction happens, you’ll be covered.

Next: Raise, Call, Fold - Randy Carlyle

Stick with us this summer.

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