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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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 09: Anaheim Ducks left wing Rickard Rakell (67) in action during the NHL hockey game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Philadelphia Flyers on February 09, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadlephia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 09: Anaheim Ducks left wing Rickard Rakell (67) in action during the NHL hockey game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Philadelphia Flyers on February 09, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadlephia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Rickard Rakell leads the Ducks in points

Admittedly, this one would have looked a lot worse had I wrote this article last week. Rickard Rakell has not had the season most Ducks fans were expecting and hoping for. Coming off his All-Star, 69 point season, fans were excited to see Rakell take the next step forward.

Unfortunately, like the rest of the Ducks this season, Rakell has had a disappointing year. To this point, Rakell has a 18-23-41 line in 67 games played. This isn’t terrible but for a guy coming off a virtual 70 point campaign last year, but he needs to be better. His numbers are also skewed as 15 of the 41 points he has came during the month of March alone. The positive to take is hopefully this resurgence will carry over to next season.

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This prediction hasn’t been mathematically eliminated. Rakell’s 41 is good for third on the team right now behind Ryan Getzlaf‘s 47 and Adam Henriques 42. 6 points in 2 games is no small feat, but based on how Rakell has been playing the last month, it isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility.

He could take the lead or, at the very least, finish ahead of Henrique for second. Nevertheless, whether he does or doesn’t, Rakell needs to be a leader and return to form next season. By no means should the Ducks give up on him after one down year, especially a year like this. But as the Getzlaf, Kesler, Perry guard passes the torch Rakell needs to take it and lead. Come next season, I think that is exactly what he will do.

Verdict: 7/10 He is a top 3 scorer and could top overall, but he needs to be better just like the team.

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