Anaheim Ducks: Are They Championship Material? – Part Three
By Ed Stein
J.T. Brown
An interesting player at the top of the list. J.T. Brown is kind of guy coaches point to as an example of what heart and determination are. He hustles and hits. The NHL is becoming a speed league and Brown has plenty of it.
While he isn’t a very gifted offensive player, his defense, and grit more than overcome that deficiency. Brown is the consummate fourth line or so contributor to a winning team. Conclusion: Yes
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Andrew Cogliano
Anyone who tells you they don’t want Andrew Cogliano on their roster is lying. How could any winning team not need what he brings to the table? He is as fast as they come at this level. Additionally, his penalty killing is top notch. When Cogs combines the two, he is an offensive threat in a defensive situation.
Cogliano and Kesler is a match made in checking line/penalty killing heaven. They (along with Jakob Silfverberg) often play against the opposition’s top line and do it well. Add in a bit of finishing ability around the net and Cogliano is vital to a championship team. Conclusion: Yes, third line.
Ryan Getzlaf
Cup winner, check, 2007. Leader, check, he is the Anaheim Ducks captain after all. Passer extraordinaire, check, Getzlaf led the NHL in assists per game for 2017-18. The face of the franchise, check, you see him both in the community and in team advertising.
Ryan Getzlaf positively answers all the criteria questions. Another thing, he’s a winner. A championship team has a Ryan Getzlaf excelling on the first line and making other players around him better. Conclusion: Big Yes.
Derek Grant
Here comes the start of the controversy. Grant had a career year in 2017-18 for the Anaheim Ducks, but it isn’t enough. He comes off more as a one-trick pony than an important member of a championship team.
It’s almost implausible to see him on the ice playing for a Stanley Cup. He would be a good player to have on the AHL affiliate as a call-up in case of an injury. Conclusion: No.