Anaheim Ducks Fans Love to Hate These 5 Players
For a good rivalry, there need to be flashpoints. Those flashpoints don’t happen haphazardly, people are behind them. We present five players Anaheim Ducks fans love to hate.
Hockey is a contact sport. The nature of the game leads to high emotions. When bodies collide, especially on purpose, tempers flare. Throw in some intense competition and the seeds are sewn for some great rivalries. Of course, every rivalry has a focal point. Here are the top five players Anaheim Ducks fans love to hate.
#5 -Filip Forsberg and Leon Draisaitl
To kick things off, we have a joint entry to this list. Filip Forsberg and Leon Draisaitl are Anaheim Ducks Killers, plain and simple. They make this list together because they play a similar style and like previously stated, they both absolutely torch the Ducks.
It’s no wonder. Draisaitl has the luxury of playing with Connor McDavid. Meanwhile, Forsberg gets to play with fellow countrymen, Viktor Arvidsson, and another entry on this list who will go unnamed for now.
The only thing that sets Forsberg apart from Draisaitl is the hit he put on Josh Manson in the 2016 playoffs. Putting Manson on the shelf with a concussion for the remainder of the series, Forsberg put himself in the ill will of Ducks fan for a long time to come.
#4 – James Neal
Next up we got “The Real Deal” James Neal. Neal has been a thorn in the side of the NHL for a long time now. He’s one of the games best agitators and unlike many other questionable characters, knows there’s a line. Ok, I laughed too.
“The Real Deal” has had quite a history with questionable and downright dirty hits that have earned some enemies. He’s a talented guy and it’s a shame honestly. The 30-year-old is currently now a free agent after a successful season in the desert. I think I speak for everyone when I say that the faster he’s out of our division again, the better.
#3 – “Jumbo” Joe Thornton
Net up on the list is a well-known face… or beard up north. Playing for one of Anaheim’s closest rivals, Joe Thornton is most remembered in Ducks history for his fight against Ryan Getzlaf to start Game 6 in the first round of the 2009 playoffs.
Jumbo Joe will go down as one of the greats of his era. With almost 1500 games under his belt, the 38-year-old forward’s future is up in the air because of injury. Regardless of how many times his team may fall short, Thornton will always be one of the key faces… or beards, Ducks fans will associate with San Jose and the upset was the 2009 First Round.
#2 – Dustin Brown
Debuting a few years prior to the twins, Dustin Brown is a name infamous with Anaheim Ducks fans. If I had to compare the level of dislike that Brown has amongst us here in Anaheim, it’s on the level of LA’s absolute adoration of Corey Perry.
Like Neal, Brown has a checkered history with questionable hits and suspensions that have made him somewhat of a notorious figure. Brown was suspended and fined in two separate instances this past season.
More from Pucks of a Feather
- Who could the Anaheim Ducks consider presenting offer sheets to?
- Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
- Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
- Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
- How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?
One incident added more fuel to an already growing fire of hate directed towards George Parros and the Department of player safety. Most notable of the two incidents was his cross-check to the head of Penguins defensemen, Justin Schultz that resulted in a fine.
At the age of thirty-three, Brown is entering what could be his last few seasons. One thing is for sure, Anaheim Ducks fans will always hate Dustin Brown.
#1 – Ryan Johansen
You guys probably could’ve guessed that this name would show up eventually. Where to begin? I guess I should start by explaining why Johansen tops out the rest. For starters, the “beef” he has with Ryan Kesler is pure comedy gold. I feel bad for the guy because he’s young. He’s starting to establish himself a great No.1 center on a team that’s knocking on Lord Stanley’s door.
With that taken into account, Johansen has some growing up to do. He did the one thing you do not do, and that’s giving the agitator attention. For those who don’t quite remember or choose to forget bits and pieces of our recent playoff runs, the young center came out openly aired his dislike for Ryan Kesler. He said he “doesn’t even know how anyone can root for a guy like that”.
Obviously, people reacted and thus commenced the utter firestorm that was hockey twitter during the Western Conference Final. A year later, Johansen still shows signs of holding a grudge against Kesler, providing us with more enjoyment at his disposal.
I know you’re sitting there thinking “get on with it already!” and honestly Johansen tops the list solely because he takes this beef so personal. It reminds me a lot of the Sean Avery and Martin Brodeur beef years ago, just without all the insults.
Next: Decisions, decisions, decisions
The things that make the situation so funny is Kesler has spoken maybe once or twice about it and he said his peace. Johansen makes it known publically. Frankly doesn’t make him look good.