Anaheim Ducks Veterans vs. Prospects: Who Dominates the Team In 2019-2020?

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 05: Anaheim Ducks defenseman Korbinian Holzer (5) is greeted by his teammates after Holzer scored a goal during the second period of a game against the Los Angeles Kings played on April 5, 2019 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 05: Anaheim Ducks defenseman Korbinian Holzer (5) is greeted by his teammates after Holzer scored a goal during the second period of a game against the Los Angeles Kings played on April 5, 2019 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Anaheim Ducks
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 14: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 14, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Who Stands Victorious In the Center?

In the battle of prospect vs. veteran, the center department goes to the veterans. It’s a controversial area, seeing as the youth have their contributors, but the tandem of Ryan Getzlaf and Adam Henrique will consistently lead to scoring chances. It’s just an incredibly strong duo, along with Derek Grant, who is willing to step it up for the team that he played his best year for.

For the youth, Chase De Leo and Devin Shore have the potential to battle for dominance, but again, Getzlaf and Henrique are more proven, so it’s a safer bet that they’ll do better. Sam Steel has the most promise to really shine this season on the prospect’s side, but it’s yet to be seen how his production will spread out over the season, unlike the short 22 games he played last year. The veteran presence might not be so lucky in the future, seeing as how amazing the prospects are in this area, and how they could really blossom this season with the likes of Steel and De Leo netting goals for days.

No Battle Found On the Wing

In the next department, we have the wingers. Seeing as how the oldest winger for the Ducks is 28 years old, it’s the youngest part of the team, so there’s really no battle between veteran presence and prospect magic.

It’d be Jakob Silfverberg and Nicolas Deslauriers against everyone else, and it’s not a fair fight with Rickard Rakell and Troy Terry being the main competition. Daniel Sprong and Ondrej Kase also have the potential to be major contributors for the team, seeing as they’ve both had spectacular pasts, so really, the wing belongs to the prospects.

This will be a fantastic core to watch develop over time, and could possibly be the flashiest part of this Ducks team for a while, so really watch for what they can accomplish together.

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