Pucks of a Feather
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Anaheim Ducks: Three Keys to a Successful 2018-19 Season

By Chris Bushell

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 14: Brandon Montour #26, Jakob Silfverberg #33, and Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrate a second period goal in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round against the San Jose Sharks during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 14, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 14: Brandon Montour #26, Jakob Silfverberg #33, and Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrate a second period goal in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round against the San Jose Sharks during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 14, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Leaders Must Lead and Inspire

ANAHEIM, CA – MARCH 03: Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) and captain Ryan Getzlaf (15) on the ice during the first period of a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, on March 3, 2017. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MARCH 03: Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) and captain Ryan Getzlaf (15) on the ice during the first period of a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, on March 3, 2017. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Canadian writer and motivational speaker Robin Sharma has a great quote on leadership.

"“Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence, and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work, and you have to inspire team-mates.”"

The Ducks have veteran leaders in spades on the 2018-19 roster. The likes of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry the only remaining members of the 2007 Cup team and have taken this team on many deep playoff runs. Ryan Kesler has made it to Game 7 of the Cup Finals and two Conference Finals with the Ducks.

Patrick Eaves has made several deep runs in the playoffs with the multiple teams he has been part of. Even the likes of Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm have been to two West Finals already. They all must create a cohesive leadership unit and heed the words of Mr. Sharma

All of these players mentioned have the skill set and ability to take over a game and be a driving force. Getzlaf and Kesler are especially important. It’s clear as these two go, the Ducks go. They need to get results, impact the game nightly, and inspire what should be a sizable injection of youth to this years team.

The young guys will look to the veterans more than ever this season. It’s no secret when Getzlaf is on his game top to bottom, this team fires on all cylinders. The veteran centers need to make sure they lead with an edge, yet without crossing the line. With both healthy (fingers crossed on Kesler), for a whole season they have a chance to set the tone early. Not only be able to lead the Ducks to the pinnacle this year but hand over a legacy to the young guns for years to come.

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