The Anaheim Ducks Don’t Need Erik Karlsson to Be Successful

Do the Ducks Really Need EK65 to Succeed?

As I hear the genius composition of John Williams (the Jaws theme song) in my head the closer we get to the season opener, I have been asking myself one question. Why did Bob Murray pass on bringing EK65 to Anaheim? Why didn’t he throw caution to the wind, and bring in arguably the best defenseman in the league?

I made a few accusations that were probably premature. I think I speak for all of us when I say that it appeared as though Bob Murray didn’t care about the performance of his team. However, after stating my opinion, a few of you put me in my place, and rightfully so. The news broke today, via Elliot Teaford, that GMBM didn’t want a rental. However, I think there is a little more to it than that.

By not moving heaven and earth to bring EK65 to Anaheim, maybe it means that Bob Murray does believe in his team and what they can do. As the resident “glass-half-full” contributor here at Pucks of a Feather, I’d like to believe that. I feel like it is only appropriate for me to bring you my opinion. I’m about to make a very controversial statement, but please stick with me. It’s always good to see things from the other side in order to get a clearer view of your own opinion.

I, like GMBM, believe in this team. I am sure, if you’re a Ducks fan, I have no doubt that you believe in them too. That is why I wholeheartedly believe that we do not need Erik Karlsson to have a successful season.

I’m not saying that we will take back the first place division spot, nor am I saying that we will win the Stanley Cup. That is yet to be seen; the regular season hasn’t even started yet. However, that doesn’t mean that our team won’t make some noise, shake things up, and surprise a whole lot of people.

I know I cannot state this opinion without having the merit to back it up. The Ducks have a list of things that give them the advantage. So, without further ado, here are my reasons why the Anaheim Ducks don’t need Erik Karlsson to have a successful 2018-19 season.

Did the Sharks Give Up Too Much?

In order to bring Erik Karlsson to San Jose, they had to give up a few players. You give someone an inch, they take a mile. However, it’s reasonable that in the midst of a rebuild, the Ottawa Senators would want quite a bit in exchange for their best defenseman. It seems as though San Jose got the better end of the deal, but does giving up so much affect them at all?

As I said, the Sharks had to give something up in order to acquire EK65. In exchange for King Karl, Ottawa received a second-round draft pick in 2019, a first-round draft pick in 2020, Chris Tierney, Dylan DeMelo, Josh Norris, and Rudolfs Balcer.

Giving up Dylan DeMelo doesn’t really affect the Sharks too much. His point total for last season was 20, and he had no goals to show for it. So, all in all, the Sharks defense doesn’t take a hit. Especially with Erik Karlsson, who just came off a 62 point season, in their lineup.  With Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic added to the equation you’ve got a deadly combination. Burns, who just came off a 67 point season, was the Sharks top point producer last season. Vlasic was lethal on the ice as well, with a 32 point season.

Their prospect pool took a slight hit. Josh Norris, the Sharks 2017 first round draft pick, had a 23 point season (8g,15a) with the University of Michigan. However, he only played 37 games total. He’s proven to be a big asset on the ice, having scored 27 goals with an added 34 helpers in 2016-17 with the US National U18 Team. Rudolfs Balcer, their 2015 fifth-round draft pick, had a great season with the San Jose Barracudas as well. He netted 23 goals and added 25 assists during his 67 game season. Unfortunately, it’s a tough loss for the Sharks. However, it won’t affect them too much. At least, not this season.

The Sharks biggest loss was center, Chris Tierney. He ranked fifth in points last season for San Jose, with 40 points accredited to his name (17g, 23a.) Normally, I’d say that one top point producer isn’t going to have too much of an effect on a team. However, if you take into consideration some of the things San Jose struggled with last season, it makes more sense as to why it could be a little worrisome for them.

San Jose had some issues getting off to slow starts last season. A perfect example was their playoff series with the Vegas Golden Knights. They couldn’t keep up with Vegas, resulting in a 7-0 shutout in one of their games. In comparison, 8-1 isn’t any better (I’m still bitter.) Although San Jose has a great top six, they are a little weak on their back end.

The loss of Tierney may be a difficult obstacle to overcome.

Getting All of Their Ducks In A Row

The embarrassing end to the Ducks “cup run” is now in the past. We enter the 2018-19 season with a blank slate, the same faces we know and love, a few new faces, and a new style of hockey. As we all know, hockey is a sport that is evolving constantly. However, this is what makes it so exciting to watch.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy other sports. Nevertheless, every season of hockey is different. One player does not determine the success or the failure of a team, as much as some of us would like to think he does (i.e. Erik Karlsson.) You also rarely ever see the same two teams reach the Stanley Cup Finals two years in a row. The last time that happened was in 1969 with the Montreal Canadiens and the St. Louis Blues.

Despite the evolution of hockey, the Anaheim Ducks seemed to be stuck in the “stone age” last season. They did just enough to get by and say they made it to the playoffs. Something needs to change this season, or we’re in for another rough year.

The recent news that GMBM is expecting his team to catch up with the times is music to my ears. The days of dump and chase are finally gone (fingers crossed) and the Ducks are implementing the faster and quicker tempo style game. There will be shorter shifts, quicker passes, and getting to the puck will require them to be faster.

“We’ve shown them they can do it. Now they have to be willing to do it the right way. They’ve all got to change the way they think, the players and the coaching staff. I’ve asked them for change.” -Bob Murray, Interview with Elliot Teaford

The Anaheim Ducks are going to be pushed to their limits this season. Bob Murray is expecting a lot, and rightfully so. Last season, even though the Anaheim Ducks weren’t on their A-game, they still managed to clinch the second place Pacific Division spot. They were only one point ahead of San Jose, but one point makes all the difference in this case.

The Ducks did get swept by the Sharks in round one of the playoffs. However, Anaheim was working with an exhausted, overexerted, “old school” type of game, low energy team. This new fast tempo type of game is sure to deliver a new, excited, and high energy Anaheim Ducks.  Giving a few of our prospects a chance to crack the lineup could also flip a switch on the Ducks “power outage” of a power play. If they are able to do it, which I believe they can, the results are going to be phenomenal.

We have a group of great players. Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Rickard Rakell, Adam Henrique, and Ondrej Kase just to name a few. However, they still need to build from that. The expectant return of Patrick Eaves and, hopefully, Ryan Kesler is an added bonus.

Anaheim Saved Themselves From A Cap Hit Disaster

The Sharks are swimming into stormy waters as far as their cap space goes. That places them in a win now situation. If they want to win the cup, they have to do it this season because they’re going to be in trouble come summer time.

Currently, the Sharks have less than $2M in cap space. That doesn’t seem like a big issue up front. However, if you take a deep dive into where they stand at the end of the season, things aren’t looking pretty. At the end of the 2018-19 season, San Jose has 13 players that will be at RFA or UFA status.

That is roughly $25M tangled up in 13 contracts. If you add in a deep playoff run or a Stanley Cup, these players are going to want more than what their current contract is worth, which is reasonable. Even if they don’t make it that far, and a player still performed well, he’s going to want a bigger contract.

If Karlsson performs well, he’s going to want his big payday, and reasonably so. Of course, there are always players San Jose can trade so they take less of a cap hit. However, how does that help Joe Pavelski and Joe Thorton?

If the Sharks win a cup, I wouldn’t blame Thorton if he hung up his skates. However, if they don’t, who knows? Gordie Howe was 52 years old when he retired. If he can do it, I have a feeling Jumbo Joe might have a few more years left in him too. If that is the case, he’s going to deserve more than $5M a season.

Pavelski, although a veteran, has been one of the Sharks top point producers since he made his NHL debut during the 2006-07 season. He has stayed consistent and, at 33, he hasn’t slowed down, still flourishing in his prime. His current contract is $6M per year, and he can rightfully argue that he deserves more.

If the Sharks decide to keep Erik Karlsson, and Karlsson wants more than $6.5M per year, either one or both of them is going to have to be moved. Rumor has it, the Sharks are eyeing an 8-year contract extension of EK65. The big question is, do the Sharks really want to move two players who have been with the franchise for years in exchange for Karlsson? If the answer is no, Karlsson is back on the open market. If the answer is yes, there’s trouble ahead.

Why does this matter to the Ducks? Anaheim has roughly $6M in cap space available, with only Nick Ritchie left to possibly sign. They can still use Silfverberg as a bargaining chip to bring in one or more game-changing players if the need arises. The Sharks have absolutely no wiggle room if they don’t find success. Unless they want to call up underdeveloped prospects.

The Anaheim Ducks and GMBM basically saved themselves from a cap hit nightmare. Plus, we get to keep players like Brandon Montour, Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and any other player whose name might have been thrown out as a bargaining chip. Did we really want to lose all of those players just for a rental? I don’t think so.

While this doesn’t prove that Erik Karlsson wouldn’t have helped the Ducks in their success, it does prove that we were saved from losing a lot and gaining, in my opinion, very little. Although I will touch on this a little later, the Ducks have what is shaping up to be a great blueline. I wouldn’t count them out just yet.

Good Goaltending Covers a Multitude of Sins

I’ve made my opinion clear from day one. John Gibson is without a doubt the best goaltender in the league. I do not just say this because I am a die-hard Ducks fan. I know most of Ducks Nation agrees with me, but if you’re not a fan of the Anaheim Ducks, we have the numbers to back it up.

For the sake of the argument, let’s eliminate any goaltender who played less than 45 games in the 2017-18 season. With those stipulations, Pekka Rinne, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Antti Raanta are the only goaltenders on that list that have a higher save percentage (SV%) than John Gibson.

However, if we take into consideration the fact that all of these goaltenders played less than Gibson’s 60 games last season, things start to change. Antti Raanta and Marc Andre Fleury both played less than 50 games last season. They faced fewer shots, therefore, they didn’t save as many shots. However, their lower numbers provided a higher save percentage. This is why I still don’t find fractions fun.

Pekka Rinne is a player we can debate about. He helped the Nashville Predators make it to the second round of the playoffs, only losing the series by one game. He won the Vezina, which is an absolute honor. Rinne also played only one game less than John Gibson, and his save percentage is barely higher at .927%. His goals saved above average is also higher than Gibson, at 27.49.

The contest is close, and despite our rivalry with the Predators, you have to respect Rinne as a goalie. He’s done a good job. Nevertheless, John Gibson has one advantage going into 2018-19 that Pekka Rinne does not.

John Gibson’s 2017-18 season was his best to date. He played 60 games, saved 1,733 goals, his goals saved above average was 25.30, and his save percentage was .926%. However, despite producing such great numbers, there was one major issue. The team playing in front of him. The Ducks had a lot of “the lights are on, but nobody’s home” moments last season, and John Gibson had to pick up the slack. He stood on his head for his team and kept them in games they easily should have lost.

Bob Murray said it best when he said that good goaltending covers up a lot of stuff. With the implementation of GMBM’s new “fast tempo” style of play, John Gibson won’t have to worry about carrying his team anymore. With a cohesive team in front of him, Gibby hopefully won’t have to deal with their opponents constantly outshooting them by leaps and bounds.

If you’re worried about Gibson getting injured, have no fear. Ryan Miller is easily one of the best back up goaltenders in the league. As I always say, Ducks Nation always gets to breathe a little easier knowing we are in the capable hands of a veteran legend such as RM30.

We Have Good Defensemen Too

Last season our blueline was a bit of a disaster. Every time we blinked, it seemed as though one of them was out with some sort of injury. Randy Carlyle‘s solution? Kevin Bieksa and Francois Beauchemin. Don’t get me wrong, I respect them for trying. However, putting them out on the ice was like trying to patch up a wound with a napkin, it just didn’t stick. It was a temporary fix without lasting, productive, or healthy results.

We also had defensemen who were forced into roles they probably were not ready for yet. Brandon Montour is a perfect example. He is one of my favorite players, you all probably know that. I even drafted him in one of my fantasy leagues (which I am stoked about!) I am of the opinion that he helped the team more than he hurt it. However, although he took his role in stride and earned his rightful place in the top four, he still struggled at times.

As the 2018-19 season starts, we are in the exact opposite position that we were last season. We’re starting the year with a healthy blueline that is exploding with talent. There’s a good chance our top four stays the same.

Cam Fowler will lead the blueline as the experienced veteran Duck this season. He has essentially made the commitment to play for the Ducks his entire career. His dedication to the team mixed with his high energy, smooth skating, offensive bend, and his ability to drive the pace of a game is exactly the example the blueline needs. If he stays healthy and pushes himself, like he has proven he can do in the past, there is nothing that can keep him from blowing his 32 points from last season out of the water.

His partner, Brandon Montour, adds youth and vibrancy to the pairing. At the end of last season, it was clear there was still some development that needed to happen. However, he’s had the whole summer to train and he’s probably picked up a few tips and tricks along the way. He’s quick on his feet, and he has a keen sense of when to jump in on a rush and when he needs to back off. His talent is evident at such a young age. He matched Fowler’s 32 points, and as he continues to be mentored by CF4, he’s going to unleash his untapped potential.

Josh Manson led the Ducks defensemen in points last season. Although I believe he won’t lead them again, he still makes quite an impact on the ice. Manson took on quite a bit of responsibility last season and proved he is a reliable entity. He knows how to move the puck and he isn’t satisfied with being subpar. JM42 is always pushing himself because he knows he has the strength to always do a little better. It’s something I admire about him, and it has played a large role in his on-ice success.

Josh Manson and Hampus Lindholm have electric chemistry on the ice. Lindholm is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated defensemen in the league. Each year he excels far beyond the previous season. Last season, Lindholm led the defenseman in goals, even going as far as getting his first hat-trick. He is also well rounded, having the perfect blend of offensive and defensive skills. HL47 is a rare talent, and his contributions this season will not go unnoticed.

There are still two unclaimed spots on the blueline. However, there is plenty of talent in the Anaheim Ducks system that can make an impact.

Call Up The Prospects

All summer, Pucks of a Feather has been pushing for a Duckling line. I wouldn’t hold your breath for that one, especially on Randy Carlyle’s watch. Although the Ducks lost their first preseason game against the Sharks, there was evidence that we have young players who are both willing and able to take on NHL responsibilities.

Chris Bushell wrote an article earlier in the week about the top five players who could potentially replace Nick Ritchie. I do hope we see some younger players worm their way onto the roster this season. However, not at the expense of Ritchie. I think he adds value to the team, despite some of the boneheaded moves he makes. Nevertheless, give Chris’ article a read. It provides a little bit more insight on some of our prospects who have the potential to make it in the big league.

It is no secret that I am a big proponent of calling up Sam Steel. His success with the Regina Pats last season (33g, 50a) as well as in the Rookie Faceoff in Vegas (1g, 4a) has proven he is up for the job. He is a fast and dangerous entity on the ice. He is the perfect player to not only make an impact but move the rest of the team in the right direction.

As much as I love the idea of Sam Steel making the team, Troy Terry would be a dream. He was given the chance to play two games with the Ducks last season. Although he didn’t walk away with any goals or assists, he showed that he wasn’t afraid to shoot the puck or block it. The Ducks need more players who are both smart and fearless on the ice. He’s fast, plays with intention, and is a force of nature. Yesterday’s preseason game gave him a chance to stand out even more. He had great chemistry with Getzlaf and Kopacka and he created some nice chances for the team.

Kevin Roy is another potential game changer. He’s small, but if speed is the future of the NHL, he’s lighting on his skates. He played a short 25 game stint with the Ducks last season. He, like Terry, isn’t afraid to shoot the puck, and he’s proven that he is capable of producing points. He adds value to the team when he is on the ice, and the Ducks could use his skills to their advantage.

However, one thing these young “Ducklings” all have in common is their ability to improve the Ducks power play. With the system Dallas Eakins has implemented in development camps or while coaching rookie faceoff games, the power play was dangerous. Roy also proved he can be effective when he scored a PP goal last season.

The Anaheim Ducks may not have the deepest prospect pool in the league, but they sure have a ton of outstanding talent. Right now the Ducks need youth, speed, tenacity, and a few sticks of dynamite to set loose on the power play. Our prospects can make all the difference come time for the regular season to start. They could be a key element to what Anaheim needs in order to make an impact in the Pacific Division.

Success is in the Eye of the Beholder

For each of us, success means something different. It’s no different when it comes to the game of hockey. The title of this article is “Why the Anaheim Ducks Don’t Need Erik Karlsson to be Successful.” It has nothing to do with why they don’t need him to win the Pacific or even the Stanley Cup. He would have been a great asset to the Ducks, it just wasn’t a risk worth taking.

This season is going to be filled with up’s and down’s as the team navigates through this new process. They will probably disappoint us with frustrating losses, missed opportunities, and dumb penalties. However, they will always and forever be known as the “Comeback Kids.” They will surprise us, make us laugh, smile, and maybe even cry with joy.

More from Ducks News

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• Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
• How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?

We are going to see injuries, it’s bound to happen. Nevertheless, we will see amazing bounce backs. Some players might fall behind, not able to keep up with the new system. Others will grow by leaps and bounds, having a bigger and better season.

Yet, in the midst of it all, we stick by our team. The good, the bad, and all of the ugly in between. It’s the 25th Anniversary of Anaheim Ducks Hockey! It’s going to be a great year and I cannot wait to spend it cheering alongside the best people in the world, Ducks Nation.

Remember, success does not mean winning. Success means growing. It’s a process of moving forward in the right direction so that, in the future, you can finally be victorious.

Cheers to 25 wonderful years. When it’s all said and done, there’s only one thing left to say: Let’s go Ducks!