Our Anaheim Ducks Monthly Mailbag, June 2018: Power Play, Star Rookies, and RK17

It’s the fourth Friday of the month, which means it’s time for the monthly Anaheim Ducks mailbag. You ask the questions and our Pucks of a Feather staff answers them.

Here are our last two mailbags: May 2018, April 2018.

Question 1) I think the Ducks blew it on Isac Lundestrom, there were so many better players available to draft. What do you think?

Kenny Marcial: Despite the desire to draft certain players, our scouts do diligent work in making their picks. The Ducks picked 23rd and Lundestrom was the 20th rated prospect on Bob McKenzie’s list. Veleno and Bokk were the only two players left with higher rankings. Lundestrom is the best possible prospect for that pick. He played in the Swedish Elite League and had a consistent role in the WJC, which is very uncommon for a 17-year-old.

Jacob Robles: I personally didn’t know too much about a lot of the guys that went in this years draft, but I’m content with their decision. I trust our scouts fully, we’ve gotten some steals in the last couple drafts.

Chris Bushell: To this point, I have a real hard time ever doubting the Ducks draft day strategies, they have consistently had great drafts and they know much more about Ludenstrum than I do. He was rated in the mid-20s. Picking him 23rd fits. Personally, I wanted Akil Thomas but he fell to the second round so clearly, teams didn’t value him as much as me.

Blake Navarro: I believe that the Ducks have one of the best scouting departments in the league when it comes to drafting talent. So I’m going to believe they made the right choice.

Ed Stein: I won’t say the Ducks blew it. There were two or three players I liked better than Lundestrom. Dominik Bokk was the best player available on my board.

Ciara Durant: Maybe there are better players out there. It isn’t about who is better, it’s about who is the best fit for the team. A different, “better player” may not have been a good fit for the Anaheim Ducks. I do, however, trust the judgment of the scouts and GMBM. I don’t think the Ducks blew it by picking him. I’m content with this draft pick.

Question 2) What has to change so the Ducks power play can work?

Kenny Marcial: The Ducks should mirror Washington’s power play. Tampa plays with the same strategy and it works out for them as well. We have the players. Montour has the big shot, he takes the Ovechkin role. Getzlaf can take the Carlson role, he just needs to shoot enough to keep the goalie honest. Fowler can play the Backstrom role of distributing the puck from the right boards. Silf has the amazing release on his wrist shot, so he fits what TJ Oshie does. Rakell can mirror Kuznetsov and be the rover.

Chris Bushell: They need to a find a way to carry the puck in and set up. No team succeeds on the PP using a dump and chase style to get in, and their best players must shoot. It’s a couple passes then shoot, not move the puck slowly and stand stationary.

Ed Stein: Shoot the puck! Cycle, move and shoot!

Ciara Durant: Last season was the perfect example of what not to do. There needs to be more follow through. I don’t have much to add to what everyone else said. I do, however, think the recent changes in the coaching staff will be beneficial to improve the power play and keep the players accountable.

Greg Johnson: They have to move the puck faster. Right now they look like they’re passing a uranium puck. If they move it around faster, they’ll open better passing and shooting lanes.

Jacob Robles: We need guys like Getzlaf, Montour, Fowler, etc. to shoot more. Especially Getzlaf. We pass way too much and it rarely results in a goal. It drives me nuts when Getz doesn’t shoot because we saw how effective he was when he started letting it fly in the ’16-’17 season.

Blake Navarro: To make the power play better The Anaheim Ducks need to get the right personnel out there and have Getzlaf run it. They can’t have someone like Kevin Bieksa, who was on the Power Play for a few months, out there and expect better results.

Question 3) Which rookie makes the team?

Chris Bushell: My hope is that Roy-Terry-Jones make a kid first, line and Sam Steel starts slotted with Henrique and Kase. The time is now for the Ducks prospects to take that next step. An injection of youth could do wonders for this team

Ciara Durant: I could definitely see Larsson moving up as well as Roy. I liked what I saw from both of them last season, and I think the next step in their development is to move up! Hopefully, we have other players who are prepared to make that next step, but these two are definitely the ones that stand out to me the most.

Greg Johnson: Max Jones.

Jacob Robles: I think that Jones and Larsson make the squad this year. They seem like the most matured in the minors so far. Personally, I want Kevin Roy up full time, but those two seem to me like the most likely to make the jump.

Ed Stein: There are so many talented prospects fighting for a roster spot. I’d like to see Kevin Roy get a fair chance to not only make the team but excel.

Blake Navarro: I would personally think it’s someone like Jacob Larsson. It’s time to give the younger defensemen a shot. The Ducks are really high on this kid, so he’s my pick.

Kenny Marcial: Andrew Welinski should be the guy on the back end. The right D is open on the third pairing and he’s the most physically mature of our blueline prospects. Of the forwards, Steel and Roy are the most likely.

Question 4) How many chances does Nick Ritchie get?

Ciara Durant: I will be honest, I was hoping Ritchie would be gone before the start of the next season. However, I am the kind of person who is keen on second chances. If his development as a player moves in a positive direction, I say that giving him another chance will be worth it. He has all the potential to be a great NHL player. Maybe all he needs is a little time and grace from all of us.

Ed Stein: His trade value may be it’s highest this summer. If Murray can’t move him for a player he likes by the start of the season, his next meltdown should be his last in an Anaheim Ducks sweater.

Greg Johnson: 0. If the Ducks want to get faster, Ritchie has to go.

Blake Navarro: I think he gets the entire season. For some reason, the team still has faith in him. Hope he has a really big season upcoming for this team.

Jacob Robles: I’m tough on him but I think management gives him another handful of chances because of his age. As much as I think we move him while his value is still fairly decent, I don’t see it happening with how quiet it’s been this offseason.

Kenny Marcial: Ritchie did a good job last season once he was placed on a line with a legitimate center. He makes some boneheaded plays and needs to correct that. He’s still only 22, which gets lost in the shuffle. Most players are just getting their first taste in the NHL at his age. Don’t be surprised if his development takes the next step.

Chris Bushell: No more for me, I’ve seen enough of his lack of offensive production and dumb costly penalties. It seems like he’s coming back. I hope I’m wrong because I’ve already seen enough from him. Max Jones is a better younger version.