Anaheim Ducks: 5 Bold Predictions for 2018-19′ Season
Hot takes start here. I am looking at five bold predictions for the Anaheim Ducks 2018-2019′ season. You heard it here first and I’ll look back at these next June to see where I hit and if I miss.
After what has felt like an eternity the Anaheim Ducks begin their 2018-19′ season next week when training camp opens. This season has many question marks even with the Ducks still remaining Cup contenders. With that, certain Ducks need to step to the forefront and here are five bold predictions for the Ducks coming into the season.
5.) Troy Terry is a Calder Candidate
Troy Terry has excelled at every level he has ever played at. World Junior Hero/Gold medalist, Collegiate National Champion, US Olympian, and professional hockey player all at the ripe old age of 21. Terry has been waiting for his chance at hockey’s highest level and he is ready to show he belongs. Speaking with OC Register writer Elliot Teaford last week to open rookie Terry had this to say. “The thing is when you’re a kid you don’t dream of playing junior or college hockey. You do, but when you’re a kid playing in your driveway you’re dreaming of playing in the National Hockey League”. Teaford goes on to say that Terry has worked this season to add bulk to his already 6’1″ 175lb frame. Terry is ready to make the jump and putting him on a kid line or with the Adam Henrique–Ondrej Kase could be huge for the Ducks bottom six.
Terry was taken in the 5th round and he is ready to put the league on notice. In the Ducks Rookie Showcase this past weekend Terry was on a line with Sam Steel and Max Comtois and many noted they were far and away the best line on the ice. While I want a line like this in Anaheim now it may be a couple years away. And yes, it’s playing against other rookies but he has to start somewhere. Terry could be the Ducks next big offensive spark plug and he has all the tools to be an All-Star.
Look for Terry to garner some Calder interest and be a leading scorer for the Ducks this season.
#4.) Brandon Montour will lead Ducks D-men in scoring
Brandon Montour was an RFA entering this summer. And when push came to shove it took the specter of arbitration to get his deal done. Montour was looking for a one year deal at 4.5 million while the Ducks wanted to lock him up for two years at 1.5 million. The difference was there but they settled at two years at 3.3 million. The Ducks got more term while Montour got closer on the cash so all things were good. But two years from now the Ducks will be in a similar boat. And if Montour wants north of 5-6 million per he better earn it. Teams don’t just hand out that kind of term. For reference, Erik Karlsson considered the best or one of the best defensemen in the NHL makes 6.5 million per.
So Montour is going to have to earn that money. Last season Montour played in all but two games and posted a 9-23-32 line while being a +16. Good numbers but to command the money he wants it needs to be better. And I think he will be. Montour can approach 20 goals and 30-40 assists this season with the skill set he posses and the increased role he will have. Montour could be on the top pair with Cam Fowler as well as significant power-play time. He will have plenty of opportunities to get the stats as well as increase the +/- as he is just as sound in his own end. Montour has two years to prove he is worth big bucks and it starts this year.
I am looking for Montour to eclipse even Fowler in points and some highlight real goals will be a part of it.
#3.) Corey Perry will be back
Yes, I have written on this topic and its a take I stand by. His struggles the last couple years have been well documented. However, at the end of the day, Corey Perry is Stanely Cup Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, NHL MVP, and could be an NHL Hall of Famer. Perry will not go silently into the night. He has been called out by analysts, fans and GM Bob Murray at various points this summer. He is a competitor and the way that Perry has played since he arrived in Anaheim won’t allow him to just pack up and go home. He would be a fool to not see that the window is closing on his chance to bring that second Cup to Anaheim and he will push for it.
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Now I am not projecting another 50 goal campaign for Perry. But 30-35 goals and 50 assists should be attainable. Perry was still shooting well and making plays but the game has begun to get faster than him. Hopefully with all the noise surrounding him this season and the last for that matter he has put the work in. A faster Perry on a team that will play fast will mean only good things. Perry is also someone that needs to get going early and with the team looking to be healthy from the jump this year it should help. Also, there could be real deal prospects breathing down his neck for the first time. Tom Brady put up the best stats of his career when Jimmy Garoppolo was waiting to take his job.
Competition can bring out the best in people and I’m hoping it does for Corey Perry.
#2.) Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves are 100% Back
To be honest this is the prediction that is the toughest to call. Ryan Kesler was a shell of himself even when he came back last season and I’m relying on the no news is good news approach with KesBoss. The news all summer has gone from dire to cautious optimism to silence. We will have our answers soon enough when camp opens next week but I believe Kesler is 100% or close to it. At the end of the day, Kesler is one of the fiercest competitors but he is also a team guy. If he was hurt and the Ducks could place him on long-term injured reserve and get help elsewhere he would’ve said something. I can’t believe for a second that Bob Murray would sit with the team as constituted if Kesler won’t be in the fold. Murray won’t allow that after seeing last season.
Patrick Eaves is coming back from Guillain-Barre or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or a like illness that is equally as tough. Whichever syndrome Eaves is returning from is no joke and will be tough. However, all reports are that Eaves has been training and practicing for a while and will be back in the fold from the go. Reports are the Ducks will be cautious with him in the pre-season but it should show us a lot. Eaves had great chemistry with Getzlaf and Perry as well as being a great power play weapon which the Ducks need desperate help with. With him returning to form the Ducks could have a vaunted Top-9 and some big-time scoring punch.
All signs point to that being the case so unless it is reported otherwise count on these two being huge parts of the Ducks 18-19 run.
#1.) Rickard Rakell leads the Ducks in points
Last year was a put the league on notice year for Rickard Rakell. With the likes of Ryan Kesler and Ryan Getzlaf out for the first half of the season Rakell needed to step up. And he did with flying colors. Rakell posted his best year last season with a 34-35-69 line last season. Technically this led the Ducks but Ryan Getzlaf finished just eight points back in 21 fewer games. This season with the injury bug hopefully staying far away from Anaheim, I am projecting Rakell to lead the Ducks in points. Even with everyone fully healthy Rakell should lead the team and be able to eclipse 80+ points this season. He showed last year that he can get the job done no matter the line-up and in different ways. His almost even point totals also show he is just as talented facilitating as he is scoring.
After being elected to his first All-Star game last season he will continue the trend this year and believe he can also eclipse 50+ goals. Rakell did disappear a bit in the post-season last year but so did the rest of the team so I can’t hold that against him. I don’t see that happening again this season as Rakell continues to show he is ready to lead this team down the road. The leadership core remains intact for the Ducks this season and the next few but Rakell will lead the Ducks new wave. I’m not sure if he will garner MVP chatter but he will be one of the premier players in the NHL.
The skill level just continues to grow with Rik Rak and if the Ducks plan to do some damage this season it will be #67 as one of the leaders.
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