Pucks of a Feather
Fansided

Anaheim Ducks: Some Wings Must Be Clipped

By Chris Bushell

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 05: Max Jones #49 of the Anaheim Ducks skates during the game against the Los Angeles Kings on April 5, 2019 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 05: Max Jones #49 of the Anaheim Ducks skates during the game against the Los Angeles Kings on April 5, 2019 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks looks on between plays during a game against the Los Angeles Kings at Honda Center on March 10, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks looks on between plays during a game against the Los Angeles Kings at Honda Center on March 10, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /

Must Keep: Rickard Rakell, Jakob Silfverberg, Daniel Sprong, Troy Terry, Max Jones, and Max Comtois

Six of the eight in the “must keep” category is a lot, but at the same time, are you really moving any of these six? Rickard Rakell had a down year but looks to be a top line winger who can produce 70-80 point seasons. Especially with Ryan Getzlaf still here for a few more seasons and seeing his last chance at a Cup could show his best and allow Rakell to benefit big time.

Jakob Silfverberg just signed a 5-year extension set to pay him $5.25 million per over that next five years. Silfverberg could be considered the Ducks best player this past season and if he can build upon that with healthy and improved linen the Ducks will look like geniuses for locking him in as he comes into his prime.

Daniel Sprong was a breath of fresh air being brought in from Pittsburgh. The Penguins never really put Sprong in the best areas to succeed and the change of scenery did Sprong wonders. 19 points in 47 games was a good point total, especially when he was in and out and up and down the line-up. But, Sprong’s speed and shot are top level and putting him on a line with Getzlaf and Rakell where he will get the benefit of one the greatest passers in the game as his center and what looks to be a faster more wide-open game plan and he could be one of the top league scorers.

The kids are ready. Troy Terry and Max Jones looked great during the final stages of the season showing they want an NHL job next season. Terry’s hockey IQ and skill, along with gained confidence from a year in the AHL, were unbelievably noticeable and proved he will be a great player at 5v5 as well as a good weapon on the power-play.

Max Jones could be the next great power forward as he showed the perfect blend of puck possession and skill which proved extremely difficult for opposing teams to defend. He will only get bigger and better and could be quite the handful for all opposing players next season. Cycling, speed and a nose for the net could lead to many goals and grade-A chances, something the Ducks drastically lacked last season.

Max Comtois scores at every level he plays at. He showed that in his limited action with the Ducks beginning of last season, showed it during the season with 48 points in 25 games with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL, and when he most recently potted the game-winner in quadruple OT during the Gulls Game 1 Pacific Division final. He is going to be a great NHLer and one that Ducks fans will be cheering for years to come.

Home/Ducks News