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Anaheim Ducks Round Table: 5 Bold Predictions for 2019

By Ciara Durant

ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 04: Anaheim Ducks center Carter Rowney (24) with teammate3s after Rowney scored a goal during the second period of a game against the Vegas Golden Nights played on January 4, 2019 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 04: Anaheim Ducks center Carter Rowney (24) with teammate3s after Rowney scored a goal during the second period of a game against the Vegas Golden Nights played on January 4, 2019 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 30: Richard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks controls the puck along the boards during an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 30, 2018, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Khalid Hart — Rickard Rakell Will Return and Lead the Ducks into the Playoffs

Since December 5th we have not seen too much of Rickard Rakell due to a sprained ankle injury. He currently does not have a return timetable. That means we don’t know when he could return. However, he has been seen on the ice at practice, so one can only hope it is soon.

With that being said, I predict that he will come back, along with Corey Perry (whenever he returns), and be one of the few reasons why the Ducks make the playoffs.

He was off to an awfully slow start this season, having only 5 goals and 20 points in 30 games this season. I feel like he’s the kind of player who can ramp up the scoring when it’s crunch time. With the team currently being on a godforsaken 7 game losing streak, I don’t see them doing their usual late-season ascension to first place in the Pacific Division.

Rakell will be why the team does sink into a first or second Wild Card spot. His speed and scoring ability will be just what the team needs to stay out of the Wild Card spots. If he returns to doing the goal scoring we all know he can do, I see him having another 50 point season with 20-25 goals and 30 assists.

He’s already halfway there, so we’ll see what happens on his return. I believe this kind of production would be possible if he’s paired with Ryan Getzlaf and either Pontus Aberg or Ondrej Kase.

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