Anaheim Ducks: The Good, The Bad and Things Fans Want to Forget – Part 1
By Kennyth M
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.