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Anaheim Ducks: SOS Where is Rickard Rakell?

By Chris Bushell

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 10: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Arizona Coyotes on October 10, 2018 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 10: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Arizona Coyotes on October 10, 2018 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 26: Anaheim Ducks center Rickard Rakell (67) in front of Los Angeles Kings goalie Jack Campbell (36) during an NHL preseason game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks played on September 26, 2018, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.
ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 26: Anaheim Ducks center Rickard Rakell (67) in front of Los Angeles Kings goalie Jack Campbell (36) during an NHL preseason game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks played on September 26, 2018, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. /

The Anaheim Ducks are off to a decent start this season sitting currently at 5-3-1. But following the first back to back losses of the young season fans are searching for answers to the issues plaguing this team. And one of those perplexing issues is where exactly is Rickard Rakell?

The Anaheim Ducks narrative is being a little misleading this season. It’s true they are missing the likes of Corey Perry, Patrick Eaves, and Ondrej Kase. It’s true that Ryan Kesler and Ryan Getzlaf have missed some games this season. But make no mistake this is not the banged up team that was taking the ice at Honda Center from last season. They are not playing perennial 4th liners Chris Wagner and Derek Grant, yes regardless of the opinions of some Derek Grant is a 4th liner no matter how high above his head he played last season. They have a more talented roster, a younger roster, and players who should be giving more. Most notably perhaps is Rickard Rakell.

Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown

Yes before this article is completely dismissed it is known that Rakell currently has five points through the first nine games. The same point total he had to this point last season. But Rakell is not playing the same he did last season. Last season Rakell was coming into the season as a player on the come. He had progressed every year in the NHL from 31 to 43 to 51 points. And while the Ducks and fans were expecting it to continue they weren’t expecting the Rakell we got. Rakell was arguably the Ducks greatest player wire to wire, not including John Gibson, and it culminated in a 34-35-69 line that earned Rakell his first All-Star selection.

Rakell was putting the league on notice and closing in on a 40 goal season. Rakell was putting up points at will it seemed and even when he wasn’t scoring he was a threat every time he touched the puck. He made the players around him better and looked to be the next superstar who would lead the Ducks when the Getzlaf/Perry guard would be inevitably changed. But this season that isn’t the case so far. And quite frankly the Ducks need more from Rakell.

The Hero We Need and Deserve

The 2018-19′ Ducks are vastly superior to the 2017-18′ version. It shouldn’t even be argued. Even in their nine-game careers Max Comtois and Sam Steel are clear upgrades over Jared Boll and Derek Grant. So Rakell is playing with better talent around him. You can blame Randy Carlyle, we have here, but Rakell had a career year last year under Carlyle so RC can’t take the blame here. So what is it? That is what Rickard Rakell needs to figure out and figure out fast. Call it unfair, call it a lot to put on a player who is still just 25 years of age. And maybe it is. But when you get paid like a top end forward and were closing in on 40 goal and 70 points last season the expectations are heightened.

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Rakell looked to be a player that could put the team on his back last season. This season he has looked invisible in most of the games. He hasn’t shown a ton of speed through the neutral zone, he hasn’t shown a nose for the net, and he hasn’t been the dangerous player he was last season. The team around him is faster, more skilled and looking for him to lead them. To show them how to use their skill sets to put opposing teams on their heels.

To this point, Rakell has yet to do that. He has been a passenger along with too many other Ducks players and the buck needs to stop here. The season is young but the once promising record of 5-1-1 is now 5-3-1 and for the Ducks and Rakell this is gut check time. This may be the first real adversity Rakell faces in his NHL career. He has been able to succeed while somewhat flying under the radar. But when you break out like you did last year that camouflage is gone. And Rakell needs to return to form and begin leading these Ducks.

Someone, please find the giant #67 signal and shine it over Honda Center, Anaheim needs Rakell.

Next. Anaheim Ducks: From Minor Trade to Franchise Changer. dark

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