C.L. Cohuss – Contributor, FanSided NHL
If we’re talking about an X-Factor in terms of simply reaching the postseason, it has to be John Gibson. He’s balled for the last three years in net and the Ducks rewarded him with an eight-year extension, but outside of a few depth signings (defenseman Luke Schenn and forward Carter Rowney come to mind), did Anaheim do anything to help him out? Not really.
Last year’s trade acquisition Adam Henrique is a good addition to the club and will give them 45 to 50 points, but this is still a team that ranked19th last season in goals scored. There could be an upswing but I wouldn’t expect it to be beyond subtle. Since finishing first in total goals in 2013-14, the Ducks have regressed considerably every season. It also does nothing for the fact that the core of last year’s defense remains the same, outside of Sami Vatanen.
While that group is talented and will get better, they’re still young and learning, as evidenced by their falling apart in the playoffs without Cam Fowler. They also surrendered the sixth most shots on net during the regular campaign, meaning both Gibson and backup Ryan Miller were standing on their heads night after night.
Nothing then is likely to change as far as the Ducks needing Gibson to play the superhero once more. Especially while young guys like Rickard Rakell (34 goals and 69 points) and Ondrej Kase continue to progress and others begin to hit their mid-30s. It would be naive to count on Corey Perry returning to 30-goal form or for Ryan Getzlaf to score another 20. He hasn’t put up 20 goals since 2014-15. That’s not even considering the rumors that Ryan Kesler plans to sit the whole season.
Without significant improvement along the roster and with a team that’s likely to struggle for offensive production, Anaheim is going to ride or die just as before on its goaltending. Gibson will absolutely be the reason they make the postseason if of course, they do make it.