Anaheim Ducks: Are They Championship Material? – Part Three
By Ed Stein
Adam Henrique
Let the debate continue. Adam Henrique is a man without a defined role on either the Ducks or a championship team. Don’t get the pitchforks and torches yet. Look at the situation objectively.
With a career high of 51 points in a season, Adam Henrique isn’t a consistent enough scorer to anchor a true second line. Nor is he strong enough in the faceoff circle (only one season over 50%). He isn’t a shutdown center defensively either, so a third line role is out.
Henrique is in the last year of a contract that pays him $4M a season. He will certainly command more money for his next contract. That rules the fourth line out as well, he makes too much. Conclusion: No.
Ondrej Kase
Kase made a big improvement this season with 20 goals and 18 assists. Early season injuries to key players had him bouncing between lines before he settled in with Henrique and Nick Ritchie.
If he continues on his current pace, Kase could be a key member of the second on the next Anaheim Ducks championship team. That’s more of a hunch based on his development. Kase has an “it” factor to him that says, “winner.” Conclusion: Yes.
Ryan Kesler
Don’t go by last season’s injury-plagued abnormality. He missed the beginning of the season rehabilitating from surgery. Once he got back on the ice for the Ducks, he was a shell of his former self. Toward the end of it, there were glimpses of the old RK17.
Ryan Kesler is the quintessential NHL shutdown center and he has a Selke Trophy on his resume to prove it. He’s tough, hits hard, and has a mean streak. Kesler also has enough quality offense in his arsenal to keep his opposite member honest.
Rickard Rakell
Rakell is the easiest decision among all the Ducks forwards. He scored 69 points in a season where he didn’t play with his regular center for almost a third of it. His point total has increased every season and it isn’t a stretch to see Rakell as an 80 point plus player. There isn’t a championship team that wouldn’t want Rakell on it. Conclusion: Yes.