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Anaheim Ducks: 5 Bold Predictions for 2018-19′ Season

By Chris Bushell

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 15: Ducks mascot Wild Wing celebrates the victory during game 2 of the first round of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Calgary Flames and the Anaheim Ducks on April 15, 2017 at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. The Ducks defeated the Flames 3-2. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 15: Ducks mascot Wild Wing celebrates the victory during game 2 of the first round of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Calgary Flames and the Anaheim Ducks on April 15, 2017 at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. The Ducks defeated the Flames 3-2. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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#4.) Brandon Montour will lead Ducks D-men in scoring

ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 1: Brandon Montour #26 of the Anaheim Ducks smiles while chatting with a person on the bench during warm-up before the game before the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Honda Center on April 1, 2018, in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 1: Brandon Montour #26 of the Anaheim Ducks smiles while chatting with a person on the bench during warm-up before the game before the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Honda Center on April 1, 2018, in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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.

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