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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) /
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OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 26: Brandon Montour #62 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on March 26, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

4. Brandon Montour Will Lead Ducks D-men in Scoring

I didn’t think we would be talking about Brandon Montour as a Buffalo Sabre when I made this list way back, but here we are. Brandon Montour was dealt to the Sabres just before the trade deadline for a young defenseman, Brandon Guhle, and a 1st round selection. Despite the fact that Montour is a very good player, and a Ducks fans favorite, this may go down as one of GM Bob Murrays best trades.

The Anaheim Ducks lost Montour, but Guhle looks to be a great catch and the Ducks will have two draft selections in the first 20 picks of the NHL draft by all accounts. With Montour being a 2nd round selection and the Ducks getting a former first round selection and a first round pick they may have got the better end of this deal. All of that aside, on to my bold prediction from this past fall.

Montour finished his Ducks campaign with 25 points in 62 games played. He has since posted 8 more points with the Sabres for a season total of 33 points. The Ducks current leader Hampus Lindholm has 28 points. Montour has more points than Lindholm and there is a better than good chance he would have picked up 8 points or more with the Ducks had he not been traded.

Montour is an offensive weapon and there is no question he will be missed. However, the Ducks have a summer of re-tool in mind and it’s clear that Montour was never part of that equation. Anaheim will be better off in the long run.

Verdict: 9/10 I’ll knock a point off as he was traded but I was spot on with this one, and I want to take the victory lap. 

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