Anaheim Ducks: The Good, The Bad and Things Fans Want to Forget – Part 1
Lord Stanley has found his new home in the United States capital which puts a wrap on the 2017-18 season. Our newest contributor Kenny Marcial takes a final look back at the Anaheim Ducks in 2017-18 with his new three-part series.
The credits are running on the 2017-18 season and the Washington Capitals are riding off into the sunset with the Stanley Cup in tow. There has been ample time to digest what was an embarrassing finish to the Anaheim Ducks season.
In retrospect, the season was something to be very proud of. It’s easy to gloss over many of the developments that happened along the way. Hopefully, Anaheim can build upon what they did for next season. In this 3 part series, I will be going over the good, bad and things fans want to forget from the season. For the first part, the good takeaways from this 2017-18.
Continued progression of the young guns
For a long time, the Anaheim Ducks have had one of the best farm systems in the league. Despite the tag, no offensive prospects have developed to the point where they could be considered as potential replacements for Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. That changed the past two seasons.
- Rickard Rakell – The left wing, has taken that next step in his development. He is on the verge of Superstar status, which he might have achieved with his performance at the World Championships.
- Ondrej Kase – Coming into the season, his doubters claimed he was unable to “finish.” In 2017-18 Kase changed that opinion in breathtaking fashion. He scored 20 goals this past season and teased with the potential to score even more.
- Brandon Montour – He developed his defensive game nicely when he struggled in the offensive zone. Montour’s play took off the second half of the season as he formed a quality pairing with Cam Fowler. If Anaheim can model the power play after the Capitals, Montour could fill the “Ovie” role nicely.
- Hampus Lindholm – Lindholm returned from shoulder surgery to post a career high in goals (13) and maintained a nice +/- (16). He played so well that it is hard to imagine he has room to grow, but he has the potential to be elite if he continues his current progression.
- Marcus Petterson – He started the season in San Diego and was expected to be a few away from his proverbial “Cup of Tea,” with the big club. The former 2014 second-round draft pick smashed that notion and became a mainstay in the Ducks lineup once given the opportunity.
Color me excited.
ANAHEIM, CA – OCTOBER 05: The Anaheim Ducks celebrate after defeating the Arizona Coyotes. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Ducks own a seat at the top of the Pacific
The Anaheim Ducks lost numerous man-games to injury in 2017-18. Despite that handicap, Anaheim showed they still have the ability to own the Pacific Division. There is no way to look back at the season and not be proud of finishing second in the Pacific.
Once “healthy,” (the players limped around the ice even when they were in the lineup) Anaheim was able to claw its way up the standings. The Ducks core refused to let adversity get in their way.
They gave Ducks Nation a reason to come to the Honda Center nightly, save the playoffs (more on that in Part 3: Things Fans Want to Forget). Conversely, teams like the Blues turned first-place in the division to an early getaway to the golf course.
Acquiring Adam Henrique
The Anaheim Ducks were in such dire need of help up front, they sent Sami Vatanen to New Jersey for Henrique. At the time Anaheim had a fringe NHL player, Derrick Grant, acting as the number one center. Henrique’s arrival signaled a turning point in the season. He gelled quickly with his new line-mates (Kase and Ritchie) and provided much-needed scoring help.
Eric Stephens reported via Twitter that both the Ducks and Henrique are interested in an extension. If this comes to fruition, the trade paid off in spades.
Adam Henrique expressed a lot of interest in getting something done with the Ducks, who want to extend him beyond next season. Two sides can start negotiating July 1. — Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) April 21, 2018
As an added bonus, the Ducks also got Joseph Blandisi and a 3rd round pick. Blandisi is a talented player who will get every chance to earn a role on the fourth line next season. With the Ducks ability to develop draft players outside the first round, having extra picks is never a bad thing.
Standing pat at the trade deadline
It’s a controversial opinion, but I believe Bob Murray made the right move by standing pat at the deadline. He made the curious move of exchanging Chris Wagner for Jason Chimera (more on that in the bad section), but no fundamental changes occurred.
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Fans expected the move to be a precursor for his “big” acquisition; the player who would make Anaheim favorites for the cup. Much to their chagrin, he was done. Although the Ducks were fighting their way up the standings, Murray understood the team couldn’t legitimately compete of the cup.
In the excitement of the trade deadline, fans were upset at not being a “buyer.” Murray decided it was better to make changes ahead of the 2018-19 season than in March.
Many in Ducks Nation were upset that the Sharks acquired power forward Evander Kane. As good as Kane would have looked in a Ducks sweater, Anaheim would have lost the series to the Sharks anyway.
Kane recently signed for $7 Million over 7 years. It is a bit much to stomach for a 40 point player. At that price, the Ducks likely only viewed him as a rental. Not only would the team have an embarrassing playoff exit on our resume, they’d also be out a second rounder.
Editors note: We are proud to welcome Kenny Marcial to Pucks of a Feather. His opinions about the Anaheim Ducks should give fans lots to talk about.