Anaheim Ducks: Is Andrew Cogliano Headed For Troubled Waters?

November seemed to be the month where the Anaheim Ducks turned things around. There were many players who stood above the rest and others who need to step it up. We turned to you to help us find our Duck and Dud of the month.

Who knows the Anaheim Ducks better than the fans themselves? The answer to that question is quite easy. No one.

Every night we sit in the stands at Honda Center, watch from the comfort of our own home, or laugh alongside Dan and Steve as they give us a play by play of what they’re seeing. As we watch each game unfold before us, we analyze intently. We know, better than anyone else, which players stand out and which ones need to step up.

This is why we have started a new segment here at Pucks of a Feather. Each month, we ask the fans who they think deserves the nomination of Duck or Dud of the Month. The qualifications for each category are simple.

The Duck of the Month is the player who has shown exemplary skills. Throughout the month, they have been the model of leadership, integrity, and determination. Their contributions are noticeable and effective, and there is no doubt that they belong on this team.

The Dud of the Month is the player who has struggled to find their footing. This is the player that makes us cringe when they step out onto the ice because we know that nothing good is going to come from it. Although they have found a place in the lineup, it is evident that they are not playing to the best of their ability.

The polls are officially closed and your voices have been heard. So, without further ado, here are your Duck and Dud for the Month of November.

Duck of the Month: El Capitan, Ryan Getzlaf

It is not a shock that our beloved Capitan has won the nomination for the month of November. He is the face of the Anaheim Ducks after all. Night after night, he personifies leadership and integrity.

Not only does he act as the on-ice mediator, but he is an on-ice mentor to his teammates. When The Ducks proceed to drop the ball, he is normally the one who sparks a resurgence in his team.

He is, in a roundabout way, the “mother duck.” I am in no way trying to demasculinizing him, but he is the one who gets his team back on track and they follow his lead without question. If Anaheim needs to “get their Ducks in a row” leave it to Ryan Getzlaf to lead the charge.

During the month of November, he has 11 points (5g, 6a) accredited to his name in 15 games. This includes a beautiful overtime goal against the Carolina Hurricanes. The game seemed all but lost until Pontus Aberg scored the game tieing goal late in the third period.

The game was sent into overtime. Hampus Lindholm saw Ryan Getzlaf up the ice, took the opportunity, and on a beautiful breakaway, Ryan Getzlaf rocketed a snap shot past Curtis McElhinney to win the game for Anaheim.

This would help him set the pace for the next game when the Anaheim Ducks came back from a 5-1 deficit to defeat the Washington Capitals. Although this game was scheduled in December, it is still worth mentioning that he had three points during their contest against Alex Ovechkin and company.

He now leads the team in points, with 22 (8g, 14a) in 24 total games. He is currently three points away from becoming the second player in franchise history to hit the 900 point mark.

Dud of the Month: Andrej Sustr and Andrew Cogliano

I was shocked when the polls ended and there was a tie for Dud of the Month. Both Andrej Sustr and Andrew Cogliano had 39% of the votes. I will, of course, give both of them the nomination this month. However, we already know that Andrej Sustr isn’t the best defenseman around.

Plus, he wasn’t given the chance to play in too many games during the month of November, so we have a much smaller sample size. Although, if he was allowed to play more, I’m sure we already know what the outcome would have been like.

I want to put the spotlight on Andrew Cogliano for just a moment. This is the guy who plays fearlessly. He is no Nikita Kucherov or Artemi Panarin, but he’s one of the most dedicated hockey players I have ever seen.

He didn’t get the nickname “Ironman” for no reason. He never missed a game, until his bogus suspension last season, and he has always played hard. However, this season we’ve seen a completely different player, and not in a good way.

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We’re 30 games into the season, and Cogs has only 6 points to his name. He has one of the lowest Corsi For percentages of any player who is currently on the roster, and let’s not even mention his inability to score on a breakaway.

Now, I understand. Cogliano is not a goalscorer; the most he’s ever scored in a season is 22. He is good for about 30 points a season, but that is about it. His main role is to be a key component to the shutdown line.

With Ryan Kesler at center and Jakob Silfverberg on the right wing side, the three of them have been a deadly line in seasons past. They are usually a defensive entity on the Anaheim Ducks. All of them, at one point or another, have been considered for the Frank J. Selke Trophy. This is a trophy awarded to the best defensive forward in the NHL.

Ryan Kesler is the only one to win so far, in 2010-11. However, even being considered says a lot about a player. So, where has Andrew Cogliano been all season? I have yet to put my finger on why he’s been struggling to find his footing.

Maybe it has to do with the shutdown line? Maybe father time is catching up to the 31-year-old left wing? I’ll leave the answer up to you.

Having a successful season doesn’t always have to do with scoring goals or producing points. However, when a player who is known for his defensive flare is all over the place, it’s clear that he isn’t doing his job effectively.

If he doesn’t start to step it up, he is quite possibly looking at one of the worst seasons he’s had in a very long time. I’d love to see the Andrew Cogliano of old. The Ducks could always use more of his defensive talent. Plus, I missing watching him score those beautiful shorthanded goals.

What are your thoughts on Andrew Cogliano’s performance as of late? Do you think he finds himself or is he headed for troubled waters? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!