What impact can a healthy Patrick Eaves have on the Anaheim Ducks roster?
Since his diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome last year, Anaheim Ducks forward Patrick Eaves was determined to fight his way back to the NHL. With the life-altering disease in tow, there wasn’t much optimism. Recent reports indicate things have changed. Now there is little reason to doubt “The Beard” can make a comeback.
Patrick Eaves discussed his physical and neurological status with Eric Stephens of “The Athletic.” In the interview, Eaves disclosed that he was misdiagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and now has a clean bill of neurological health. He went on to say his recovery process has been intense, but he’ll be ready for the start of the Anaheim Ducks season. Stephens did a fantastic job illustrating the entire process and his article is worth a read.
If Eaves was entering into the season with Guillain-Barré syndrome, playing on the fourth line would have been a success. Now that he isn’t dealing with any neurological issues whatsoever, it means the Anaheim Ducks are adding a key piece to the top nine.
He missed an entire season. Due to all the changes that occurred with his body between then and now, it will take a while for the rust to come off. Once it does, the Ducks will have a deep roster.
Wingers, Wingers, and More Wingers
With Eaves being healthy, the Ducks are poised to enter the season with seven experienced wingers (Rakell, Ritchie, Cogliano, Perry, Kase, Silfverberg, Eaves) vying for six spots. That list doesn’t include several of the Ducks highly talented prospects like Troy Terry, Max Jones, and Kevin Roy. The budding prospects are looking to snatch a scoring role from the above seven.
It will be refreshing to start training camp with healthy bodies after last season’s injury debacle. The Ducks limped into last season using several AHL players and hoped they didn’t fall victim to the same injury plague. Although it allowed some players to have career years, it was also a root cause of Anaheim’s early-exit from the playoffs.
Roster Changes are a-Comin’
As mentioned above, the Anaheim Ducks currently have a logjam of wingers in the top nine. Having a healthy competition is one thing but, eventually, someone will have to go. Using a talented player like Cogliano or Ritchie on the fourth line creates a mismatch, but it also creates a misallocation of resources. The Ducks would be reducing the value of their assets instead of trading them to fill other needs.
Eaves and Getzlaf have good chemistry. “The beard” can tentatively be penciled in on the right side of Getzlaf’s line. The trio of Getzlaf, Rakell, and Eaves was dynamic when they played together in 2016-17. They will get every chance to show it wasn’t a fluke. Beyond that, the top nine is a mystery and depends immensely on the health of Ryan Kesler.
The New Second and Third Lines
At the moment, it makes sense to keep Henrique and Kase together on the second line. They played well together last year. Now they have a full training camp to enhance their partnership. Corey Perry‘s contract will be hard to trade and he’s still able to produce offense. It makes sense to place CP10 with Henrique and Kase.
In this scenario, the second line is a scoring line. That means the third line is slated for a shutdown role. The center is currently unknown, but Cogliano and Siflverberg are the likely candidates for the wings. In spite of their chemistry, Ritchie can still pose a threat to Cogliano spot.
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Silfverberg greatest achievement has been his postseason success during in 2014-2015. His counterpart during that run wasn’t the speedy Cogliano, but physical power forward Matt Belesky. Silfverberg’s elite play was aided by Belesky’s physical presence and Ritchie has the same qualities. If Ritchie can take the next step in his development, he would provide the line with an enhanced version of Belesky.
Trickle Down
Consequently, Cogliano would move to the fourth line. In the Ducks effort to be a faster team, who better to mentor the younger players coming up from the minors? The fourth line with Cogliano and some combination of Troy Terry, Kevin Roy, Max Jones, or Sam Steel can be dynamic.
Eaves’y Does It
Even with the return of an effective Eaves, the roster remains a work in progress. General Manager Bob Murray is going to make changes to the roster. At least one viable player will be moved.
Next: Ducks open prospect camp with a stacked roster.
The current roster is in a much better place now than it was at any point last season. Murray can deal from a position of strength and not forced into brash moves. Eaves health has provided fans much to be happy about, but I am glad he is able to lead a normal life after appearing like a pipe dream not too long ago.