Anaheim Ducks: Raise, Call, Fold – Player Predictions

At Pucks of a Feather, our staff has a game that we like to call “Raise, Call, Fold.” In the past, we’ve put a single player (or coach) of the Anaheim Ducks in the hot seat. This time around, we’re throwing out some early player predictions for the 2018-19 season.

There are just a handful of days left until the Anaheim Ducks regular season kicks off in San Jose. Thirteen days to be exact. Four days after that, on October 8, regular season hockey is back at Honda Center. The Ducks will celebrate their 25th anniversary in an anticipated “rematch” against the Detroit Redwings. We’re in for an exciting and very interesting 2018-19 season, that’s for sure.

The staff at Pucks of a Feather thought it would be fun to ring in the weekend with a game of “Raise, Call, Fold.” If you need a refresher, here’s how the game works. Raise means the contributor agrees with the statement. Call means they are unsure of the statement. Fold means they disagree.

This month’s subject focuses on player predictions for the 2018-19 season. The Anaheim Ducks have a few players who definitely need to step up their game. On the other hand, there are players who are projected to have their best season yet.

Throughout the course of this game, the Pucks of a Feather staff will respond to the following statements:

1. Corey Perry will have a 50+ point season.
2. The Ducks will trade for Artemi Panarin.
3. John Gibson will win the Vezina.
4. Nick Ritchie will sign a contract extension before the regular season begins.

The Ducks will trade for Artemi Panarin

Chris Bushell – Call. I want to put raise because I think this guy can be a game changer for the Ducks. It could be interesting to see the Sharks go for the big name defenseman and the Ducks go for the big name forward. The Ducks have weapons up front, but adding Panarin would be huge.

Jake Robles – Fold. I don’t see it happening. Especially after it being rumored that he’s looking for a big payday from whoever gets him I would love to have him on our team, but I’d rather have some homegrown talent develop instead if I’m being honest.

Ed Stein – Call. The Ducks have been unusually quiet this off-season. There hasn’t even been a whiff of adding an impact player. It tells me GMBM is working on something. I’m just not sure it’s Panarin.

Ciara Durant – Fold. All ducks like bread, that’s a fact. So, I’m all in favor of bringing the “breadman” to Anaheim. Artemi Panarin is a rarity. He’s consistent, productive, and he knows how to play a good game of hockey. Trading for him could be a game changer for the Ducks. However, the fact of the matter is the Anaheim Ducks just can’t swing it. If Bob Murray didn’t want to trade for Erik Karlsson, he definitely isn’t going to trade for Panarin.

Eddy Jones – Fold. I can’t see GMBM giving up too much for a guy he can’t resign. Look at his comments on Karlsson. It won’t happen.

John Gibson will win the Vezina

Jake Robles – Call. If he stays healthy, he could easily win it. He should’ve won this year, but there’s always a “what if” with Gibby because of his history with injuries. You look at some guys and think, “oh yeah, they’re a lock.” Gibby gets that praise and attention, but it’s always belittled by his history.

Eddy Jones – Call. I call on this one because I believe he should’ve been nominated last year. However, we all know that if he doesn’t have the wins, underlying numbers don’t matter. I still think he has a good shot.

Ed Stein – Raise. I’ve written it many times on this site. This is Gibson’s year.

Ciara Durant – Call. I think we can all agree, John Gibson deserved to be nominated for the Vezina last season. The fact that he didn’t proves, as Eddy stated previously, that the underlying numbers don’t have that much of an effect on who wins.

With that being said, if Gibby has another season like he did last year, he’s a shoo-in for the nomination. The team in front of him certainly has to get their act together so he doesn’t have to stand on his head all season. I wholeheartedly believe that Gibby has what it takes to win the Vezina. However, I refrain from saying raise because I think it’s a little too early to make that determination. Ask me again in a few months!

Chris Bushell – Raise. As Eddy said, he should have been a finalist last year. He’s one of the top goalies in the league and has proven it tenfold. East coast bias or not, this guy should be given the recognition he deserves. I think he finally will this season.

Nick Ritchie will sign a contract extension before the regular season begins

Ed Stein – Raise. First of all, Ritchie doesn’t have very many options. The worst of them would be a long holdout. Second, the question doesn’t say whether or not the extension is with the Anaheim Ducks. For those reason’s Ritchie gets a contract before the season starts.

More from Ducks News

• Who could the Anaheim Ducks consider presenting offer sheets to?
• Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
• Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
• Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
• How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?

Ciara Durant – Call. I like Nick Ritchie. He is a little bit of a hot head and he may not have turned out to be the player we all hoped he would be, but he’s alright. Bob Murray, however, hasn’t been afraid to draw things out in the past. Does anyone remember what happened to Hampus Lindholm at the beginning of the 2016-17 season? Eight regular season games passed before he signed a contract extension.

The longer Ritchie holds out, the more it’s going to hurt him. I know he probably thinks he is better than whatever the Ducks are offering him, and maybe he is. Nevertheless, there comes a point when he will need to swallow his pride and let what he does on the ice speak for him. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if all he gets is a one year “prove it” deal. Let’s just hope he signs an extension before the season starts!

Eddy Jones – Fold. GMBM isn’t afraid to take things into the regular season to get the right deal. We’ve got guys who can fill his spot (Steel, Terry.) So, I don’t expect it to be done before the season starts.

Chris Bushell– Fold. I know people want to be patient with him, but I’ve had enough. It’s not just that he can’t score, it’s that he’s a liability in his own zone. He also spends just about as much time on the ice as he does in the penalty box. He chooses the worst times to take penalties. Honestly, I would be okay if the Ducks moved on from him and let the kids come up.

Jake Robles – Fold. GMBM seems complacent letting him hold out, so I don’t see it happening soon. That’s for sure. I think we see a similar situation as we did with Raks and Hampy IF they’re able to work something out, but who knows. Only time will tell.

What say you, Ducks Nation? Join in on the fun and let us know whether you raise, call, or fold. Leave a comment down below or find us on Facebook/Twitter!