Three Anaheim Ducks who need to step up in 2018-19
The Anaheim Ducks struggled through the majority of 2018-19. To return as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, several players need to step up their game.
Considering the injuries and outlook heading into the season, Anaheim had a successful 2017-2018 campaign. Achieving similar success in 2018-19 would be a colossal failure, as the expectations are winning a Stanley Cup. Potentially losing Ryan Kesler, for an extended period, would hurt those aspirations, so the Ducks are going to need career years from several other unsung contributors.
Honorable Mentions
Joseph Blandisi – As I previously wrote in 5 Ducks prospects who can surprise, I believe Blandisi will be a contributor in Anaheim’s bottom 6 forwards. His ascension could aid the Ducks on both ends of the ice.
Ondrej Kase – Kase took a huge leap in his offensive performance last year. Scoring 20 goals in 66 games with only 13 minutes of ice time a night only excites fans for what he can do in an expanded role. Staying healthy will be key for Kase, as he’s suffered multiple concussions since joining the professional ranks in North America.
Brandon Montour – The newly resigned RFA has already been a key contributor for the Ducks. After a fast start offensively, he hit a lengthy mid-year slump. In that time, Montour worked on his defense to ensure he had a positive impact in every game. He has another level to reach and will be financially motivated to do so after signing a two-year bridge deal.
3 – Patrick Eaves, Right Wing
Why he needs to step his game up – After missing nearly the entire 2017-18 season, it’s a miracle Patrick Eaves is even able to lace his skates up. Understandably, expectations for heading into this season are relatively low for “The Beard.” Not a single person will blame Eaves should his game not return to form; however, it will have a huge impact on Anaheim’s postseason fortunes either way.
It’s no secret Anaheim struggled to score goals last season. To be a serious contender, the Ducks need to finish better than 19th in goal scoring. Eaves was fresh off a 32 goal campaign before missing last season.
For the Ducks to win a Stanley Cup, The Beard needs to be firing on all cylinders in the postseason. With Murray’s desire for the Ducks to play faster, it’s all but ensured Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf will be separated. Eaves chemistry with Getzlaf was off the charts and will hopefully make the transition seamless.
His role for the Ducks – The Beard has to score goals. As noted above, he will be penciled in on a line with Getzlaf and Rakell. After scoring on 13 goals on the power play during the 2016-17 season, the 23rd ranked power play welcomes Eaves back with open arms.
Should Eaves not be able to recapture his former glory, the Ducks will be looking for a goal scorer via trade. I think Kase is better served with Henrique as his pivot, so coach Randy Carlyle would be relegated to playing Perry on the top line with Getzlaf. As good as they’ve produced in the past, it would hinder the organization’s desire to play faster.
Forcast – I don’t believe Eaves will score 30 goals, but that will largely be a result of a slow start. Even if healthy, he missed an entire season and lost a lot of muscle mass dealing with his illness. It will take time for The Beard to get back to full speed, but I see a solid second half of the season and a total of 20-25 goals.
2 – Nick Ritchie, Left Wing
Why he needs to step his game up – Nick Ritchie appeared to regress at times during his third season. His goal scoring dipped to 10 after posting a solid 14 as a sophomore. Like everyone else in a Ducks sweater, his playoffs were even worse. Ritchie didn’t score a single point and he took some ridiculous penalties. His lack of discipline, which was encouraged by our captain’s own lack of restraint, cost the Anaheim Ducks dearly during the season.
In spite of the negatives Ritchie went through last season, and there are many, there was much to be encouraged by. I have touched on several of the aspects when I wrote about how Ducks fans should give Ritchie a chance. To quickly summarize, he performed very well once placed on a line with a capable center and he used his frame to impact the play on nights he didn’t appear on the score sheet.
The former 10th overall pick needs to take his game to another level though. Tom Wilson, who has a nearly identical career arch as Ritchie, finally developed an offensive game to go along with his physical presence. Washington doesn’t win the Stanley Cup if Wilson didn’t step his game up. Nick Ritchie has the ability to create a similar impact for the Ducks and Randy Carlyle must find a way to help him do so.
His role on the Ducks – Conventional wisdom has Ritchie returning to a line with Henrique and Kase. During a stretch last season, they were Anaheim’s best line and Ritchie was a huge part of their success. The trio had great chemistry from the get-go, so a full preseason will hopefully help them have a more consistent impact.
It is highly possible Ritchie is removed from the line in favor of Corey Perry. Perry is going to play on a scoring line and Kase has the ability to play LW. In this scenario, Ritchie will be battling Cogliano to play opposite of Silfverberg and it’s a good situation for him.
Silfverberg played his best hockey during the 2014-2015 postseason on a line with power forward Matt Beleskey. Belesky, who had a breakout campaign, used an above average shot and physical presence to help his line achieve elite offensive production. Ritchie possesses a higher skill set than Beleskey and can create a dynamic pairing with Silfverberg. In either scenario, Anaheim needs Ritchie to step his game up and produce to his abilities.
Forcast – The only thing standing in Ritchie’s way is himself. His lack of control on the ice is only overshadowed by his apparent lack of motivation off of it. I believe Ritchie rectifies both and takes the next step in his development.
I believe Ritchie will score more than 15 goals next season and I wouldn’t count out a 20+ goal campaign. He will be a key member of the second power-play unit and will once again finish inside the top 10 leaguewide in hits. In the playoffs, I see him taking his game to another level and start to resemble the player Anaheim thought they selected with the 10th overall pick.
1 – Carter Rowney, Center/Right Wing
Why he needs to step his game up – Simply put, he needs to elevate his game to justify his contract. After not doing nearly enough to earn a 3-year commitment or $1.13m per year, it appears Murray expects him to have a consistent role. For Anaheim’s sake, Rowney has to prove he was worth the gamble.
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If Ryan Kesler plays this season, his body will not hold up to playing heavy defensive minutes. If he doesn’t play, Anaheim has a gaping hole at center on the shutdown line and several minutes a night to fill on the penalty kill. Further, Silfverberg’s offensive game has been limited as he spends so many of his minutes in a defensive capacity. Finding someone who can also shoulder some of the defensive load is imperative, which is where Rowney has to earn his keep.
While lacking any measurable offensive ability, Rowney has shown to be capable defensively over his tumultuous 71 game career. Last year, the Sexsmith, Alberta, native played just over nine minutes per night, but nearly a quarter of those minutes were spent short-handed.
When he wasn’t on the penalty kill, he started 75.3% of his shifts in the defensive zone. Meaning, there is hope he can elevate his game and prevent wear and tear on Ducks players in the top-nine.
His role on the Ducks – In a one-word answer, defense. I remember hearing Carlyle say it was easy to tell if Todd Marchant had a good game because he would be covered in bruises and barely able to walk. Rowney is going to be tasked with the same responsibilities. If he isn’t miserable after each game, he won’t last very long in Anaheim.
The Ducks have notoriously been a highly penalized team, so Rowney will continue to be utilized on the penalty kill. Interestingly enough, the 2:14 he spent shorthanded per night was more than any Ducks forward last year. To preserve Silfverberg and Kesler, Rowney will be called on to potentially take the role of Anaheim’s top penalty-killing forward.
Forcast – I see him playing between 40-60 games, serving as the 12/13 forward. In addition, a majority of those games will come against more physical opponents. Why then does Rowney top the list of players needing to step up if the expectation is he doesn’t play every game?
First, with the NHL trending towards speed over physicality, the defensive minutes are “lighter” versus some opponents, Rowney can rest his body those nights. Second, if Carlyle can trust him to take the heavy defensive minutes, Kesler and Silfverberg can be fresh come the playoffs.
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As a bonus, if he can continue to cover defensive minutes in the playoffs, the duo can focus on offense and maybe, just maybe, we score more than four goals next postseason.