Anaheim Ducks: When does Kevin Roy get his shot?

The 2018-19′ Anaheim Ducks should have a healthy injection of youth. And while there are numerous candidates to grab those spots there is a sense of now or never for a certain winger.

It’s a problem but a good problem. The Anaheim Ducks have a plethora of young forwards that are ready to make the leap this year or next. The “new wave” of Ducks hockey is coming sooner rather than later. And that means good things for the present and future of Ducks hockey. But these players need more than just a short stint with the big club to start making impacts. And while fans are anxious for the arrival of Sam Steel and Max Jones a player that I think can make a big impact is Kevin Roy.

Husky to Duck

Being a Boston resident and avid Husky fan, I had the privilege to watch Kevin Roy for four years at Northeastern University. It is fair to say that Roy put Northeastern back on the hockey map. Yes, there are great names that played at historic Matthews Arena but Roy brought a wow factor and culture of winning back to NU.

Roy was found in the 4th round for the Ducks way back in 2012. He went on to compile 150 points in 130 games. This included missing significant time his senior year with concussion issues. Roy signed following his senior year and bringing a conference championship back to NU for the first time since 1988. Joining the Gulls full-time for the 2016-17′ season Roy proved he can play at the pro level posting 46 points in 67 games. He added 5 playoff points in 10 games that season as well and put any doubts that his small stature wouldn’t translate to the pro game aside.

And when he got the call-up to the Ducks last season he made the most of it. Potting 7 points in 25 games. So where can we expect Roy this season?

Third Line Opening?

This summer Roy was an RFA and I was intrigued to see what deal he would sign. He ended up signing a 1 year, two-way contract worth $874,125. This contract seems to say one thing, prove it. And if Roy is given the chance I think he can be a huge help to the Ducks. In the 25 games, he spent with Anaheim, the Ducks went 11-8-6. This was all with the Ducks missing keep members at the beginning of the year. But it was clear the Ducks had a good record with him in the line-up and be brought a scoring threat to the bottom 6 as well as another powerplay weapon. He even spent time on the top line with Ryan Getzlaf and proved he can play there. The health of certain players is still in limbo and we don’t know what it will look like until camp opens in a few weeks. But there could be a spot Roy could slide in seamlessly.

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I wrote a few months ago about wanting the Ducks to make a “Duckling Line” using some of the young guns. And while I stand by this I wouldn’t mind seeing Roy on another line. At the moment of writing this, the Ducks still have one RFA that has yet to sign, Nick Ritchie. I have nothing against Ritchie and he has had some big moments for the Ducks. But his inability to control his emotions and his streaky play have reached a breaking point. And his line-mates of Adam Henrique and Ondrej Kase deserve better. Placing Roy on this line where he showed some chemistry with Henrique last season and where his speed and Kase’s could be break-neck would be an incredible 3rd line.

Those three would all give the Ducks a vaunted 3rd line. The speed, skill, and point producing power they all have could be an X-factor for the Ducks this season. Roy is an upgrade over Ritchie and they all possess the skills to be used on the power-play and penalty kill. Henrique will be able to be a great facilitator for two speedy wingers who should be the future of this franchise. Roy has scored everywhere he’s been and it will only continue at the highest level. He isn’t the biggest guy but the league is trending away from that being a requirement and he has the skill set to offset the fact he isn’t the biggest. The Ducks need to give him the chance this year or they are wasting what is a great talent.

It isn’t easy to have the guts to put young players in big-time spots but the Ducks need to take the risk. Because they’re wasting a great talent in Roy. and truthfully if not now, when?