Pucks of a Feather
Fansided

Revisiting My 2018-19 Anaheim Ducks Bold Predictions

By Chris Bushell

VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 26: Sam Steel #34 of the Anaheim Ducks is congratulated by teammates after scoring during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena March 26, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Anaheim won 5-4. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 26: Sam Steel #34 of the Anaheim Ducks is congratulated by teammates after scoring during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena March 26, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Anaheim won 5-4. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 26: Sam Steel #34 of the Anaheim Ducks is congratulated by teammates after scoring during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena March 26, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Anaheim won 5-4. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 26: Sam Steel #34 of the Anaheim Ducks is congratulated by teammates after scoring during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena March 26, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Anaheim won 5-4. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Anaheim Ducks 18-19′ season is finally and mercifully winding down. With that being said, it’s time to look back to the start.

Back at the beginning of the season, I wrote an article outlining 5 bold predictions for the Anaheim Ducks this season. With the season set to wrap up, it is time to take a trip back and rank my predictions. I will rank them on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being complete whiff and 10 being hit the nail right on the head. What’s fair is fair, so it’s time to take my victory lap or wipe the egg off my face.

5. Troy Terry is a Calder Candidate

So, Troy Terry did not have the Calder trophy I was projecting he would have. Terry started the season in Anaheim but there was a key component missing from his game. Terry was lacking the confidence needed to succeed at the NHL level. It was a flaw that was affecting all facets of his game. The skill, hockey IQ, and effort were there but he looked awkward and out of place at times.

This resulted in a demotion to the Ducks AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, for most of the year. Honestly, it was the best thing that could have happened to the young Duck. Terry flourished with the Gulls posting 41 points in 41 games. The time in the AHL allowed Terry to re-discover his confidence and be more NHL ready.

That was proven true following his mid season call-up back to the Ducks. Since returning in January-February he has posted a 4-9-13 line and looked more and more comfortable with each game. In Terry’s defense, he was supposed to come on to the Ducks with a veteran group ahead of him leading the way. Due to injuries, he was thrust into a spot he probably wasn’t ready for and it showed.

The time in the AHL was what he needed and he and the Ducks will be better off for it. Terry may not be a Calder winner but if he is a key cog in for the Ducks next year and going forward I think he would much rather his name on the Stanley Cup.

Verdict: 4/10: Didn’t call this right but expand Terry’s points over a full NHL season and he is in the top 5 for rookie scoring. 

Home/Ducks News