Anaheim Ducks Potential Lineup Options Under Coach Dallas Eakins

The Penalty Kill: First Unit

Jakob Silfverberg – Ryan Getzlaf

Hampus Lindholm – Josh Manson

Rationale: The Ducks are built a little differently than they have been in the past. The strong defensive forward presence isn’t quite as abundant as it may have been in the past. Silfverberg, however, has long been considered a strong defensive player. Getzlaf himself has been on the penalty kill for years. Adding Lindholm and Manson to the mix makes this the Anaheim Ducks strongest penalty-killing unit.

The Penalty Kill: Second Unit

Derek Grant – Max Jones

Cam Fowler – Korbinian Holzer

Rationale: Fowler and Holzer are the two strongest Ducks defencemen behind Lindholm and Manson, so should be locked in on this unit. However, should the Ducks be facing weaker competition, Larsson could be moved into Holzer’s spot to gain experience. Grant is an underrated pivot, and while Henrique has played on the penalty kill in the past, he hasn’t necessarily been good at it.

With Henriques declining underlying numbers over the past five to six seasons, it seems warranted to keep him as fresh as possible to maximize his offensive potential. Thus Grant gets the nod here. Jones is young and fast and strong on the defensive side of the puck. Giving him experience on this unit should protect him somewhat from the very strongest of competition while growing him as a player in a role he appears to be destined to remain in. His speed and ability to generate scoring chance should force teams to be honest against his unit, and should the Anaheim Ducks be lucky he may end up the shorthanded threat Andrew Cogliano once was.