Anaheim Ducks Expert Panel: Exploring 2019-20 Lineup Options

Dallas Eakins has a lot of line combinations that could fit his vision during his first year as the head coach. Today we discuss what we think could make the Anaheim Ducks successful during the 2019-20 season.

Earlier this week, Pucks of a Feather contributor, Ben, wrote an article with his opinion on what the Anaheim Ducks lineup will look like this season. His article was a wonderful analysis of what could work for the team and Dallas Eakins during the 2019-20 season. Nevertheless, there are several line combinations that Eakins could deploy if he wants his team to have success in the coming season.

We’ve put together an expert panel to discuss their opinions on what they think could work for the Ducks. Despite each of our lineups looking extraordinarily different, they could all be the perfect blend to make the Anaheim Ducks an even better team than they were last year.

From forwards to defense, and the obvious pairing of John Gibson and Ryan Miller between the pipes, we’re looking at which players have the best chemistry and how to combine the youth and the veterans in a way that is cohesive and keeps the team running smoothly from top to bottom.

Who knows the players better than the fans themselves? We’d love to hear your opinion. Be sure to share your lineup with us on Facebook, Twitter, or down in the comment section below!

First Line Combinations

Khalid Hart:

Rickard Rakell–Ryan Getzlaf–Jakob Silfverberg

Rakell and Silfverberg arguably have the best shots on the team, and with the subtraction of Corey Perry, are the most prolific scorers on the team as well. We all know Getzlaf has always had a pass-first mentality, so why wouldn’t you couple that with the teams best goal scorer?

Jonathan Maxfield:

Rickard Rakell-Ryan Getzlaf-Jakob Silfverberg

The Ducks lack pure goal scorers. Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg likely pack the biggest punch in the goal-scoring department, putting them with the best pure passer on the Anaheim Ducks is the best way to get the most out of them. All three are not slouches in the defensive zone either, with Silfverberg particularly being a force in his own end, making this line a threat in all three zones.

Jordan German:

Rickard Rakell-Ryan Getzlaf-Jakob Silfverberg

Getzlaf is still a staple player going into his 15th season, and although his production went down last season from 61 points to 48, he’ still giving the Anaheim Ducks great numbers. He’s still very strong when it comes to faceoffs. Rakell was another player that suffered during last season, only playing 69 games and ending with 43 points compared the previous season’s career-high of 69.

Considering that 43 points is a rough season for Rakell, there’s a very high roof on what he can do. With Getzlaf’s passing skills and Rakell’s knack for scoring goals from anywhere in the zone, it’s one combo that most wouldn’t argue over.

Silfverberg is also the epitome of consistency with at least 40 points in 70 or so games over the last three seasons. He’s even been in the talks of receiving the other alternate captain position thanks to his development over the past few years. He has dominant wrist shot to compliment both Getzlaf and Rakell’s special puck handling skills, and with these three, there will always be some nasty goals waiting to be scored.

Ciara Durant:

Rickard Rakell-Ryan Getzlaf-Ondrej Kase

Rickard Rakell and Ryan Getzlaf have proven chemistry, Getzlaf being the natural passer and Rakell being the natural goal scorer. Together, the two of them could be the top point producers of the entire team. Both are responsible players who see the ice well, and the Anaheim Ducks need that representation on their top line.

With the absence of Corey Perry, the Ducks now have an open spot on the right-wing and I believe they should give this spot to Ondrej Kase. He is set to have a breakout season, and despite his injuries, he would bring energy and creativity to the Rakell-Getzlaf pairing. His youthful spirit could also help keep both players accountable and keep them from falling into the slump they did last season. Kase also adds a scoring touch to the top line and giving him the added responsibility could promote healthy growth and development.

Third Line Combinations

Khalid Hart:

Max Jones-Sam Steel-Troy Terry

I’m dubbing this the “future line.” All 3 players got a taste of NHL action last season. All three did very well in their own right. This is the line we’ve been waiting a long time for. We know all three of these guys have what it takes to get it done. Steel and Terry could make a strong push for the Calder based on what we’ve seen from them last season.

Jonathan Maxfield:

Max Jones-Devin Shore-Daniel Sprong

Shore provides some stability and calm in the center of this line with two boom or bust wingers. Both Jones and SProng have shown flashes of brilliance and also some red flags. But, putting a big body like Jones with a player who has a high motor like Shore, and a pure goal scorer like Sprong, helpt maximize each player’s strengths, while also having a counter for each of their weaknesses.

Sprong is “soft”, Jones is physical. Jones has trouble finishing, while Sprong does nothing but finish, neither is he one dimensional. Between Jones and Shore, there are at least somewhat competent defensive zone options.

Jordan German:

Max Jones-Devin Shore-Troy Terry

Jones really came into his own last year during his 20 games with the Anaheim Ducks, netting his first two NHL goals and 3 assists to make up 5 points. His most special ability has to be his puck handling skills, as he’s managed to deke through a three-player defense easily before. Although he didn’t get much time to show off more of his scoring abilities, his time on the 3rd line this season will give him a much better chance to do so.

Devin Shore was mostly a quiet acquisition from Dallas the last season, but from his time in Dallas, it’s easy to see why Stars fans miss him. His total numbers for last season were 29 points in 76 games. Although not the best numbers, he’s still very talented at taking faceoffs and making his presence known on the ice. He sustained a horrible injury from a dirty knee last year, but he’s set to make a great comeback this year, as well as make a good teacher from the two other young players on his line.

Terry is a real special talent to behold. and he’ll be another showcase on this younger team. He netted 13 points in 32 games with the Ducks last season, and he even won the Ducks their 25th Anniversary game with a shootout goal against the Detroit Red Wings. His specialty really does lie in the shootout, as he’s known for his three shootout goals in one go for Team USA in the World Championships.

Ciara Durant:

Nick Ritchie-Adam Henrique-Troy Terry

Adam Henrique is easily the second-best center on the Anaheim Ducks at the moment. However, he can be streaky and with Sam Steel set to make his first full-season debut, I think Rico will reclaim his spot as the Ducks reliable third-line center. Should Steel struggle, it would be easy to flip flop the lines if needed.

Troy Terry showed incredible chemistry with Adam Henrique last season as well, blossoming in his second stint with the club alongside the veteran leader. Adding Nick Ritchie to the mix would round out the third line, creating a dominating middle six with the Shore-Steel-Silfverberg line.

As much as the fans feel disdain for Ritchie, I believe he is still one of the better players on the roster. His morale falls because of his penalties. Nevertheless, before things took a turn for the worst last season, he took significant strides in improving himself. With wise counsel from Adam Henrique, his linemate for the previous two seasons, I could see him taking a step in the right direction. These two players belong together, their chemistry is amazing, and adding the youthful energy of someone like Terry could help drive the line in a positive direction.

Fourth Line Combinations

Khalid Hart:

Nick Ritchie-Derek Grant–Daniel Sprong

This one is arguably the hardest to make, just because there are still so many options. To me, this is Ritchie’s last shot on the team before either being sent down or traded. Grant is a definite at C. Sprong displayed flashes of brilliance upon his arrival from Pittsburgh. This line is also the least permanent just because they’re so many options that are still available just in case any of these three aren’t playing up to Dalla’s Eakins standards.

Jonathan Maxfield:

Carter Rowney-Derek Grant-Troy Terry

Terry is my most likely candidate among the young kids to explode this season, so that’s little doubt in my mind that he will not be on the 4th line for an extended period of time. However, to start the season, putting him with two players who are fairly conservative and giving him the chance to take chances will do him well, in my opinion.

Rowney and Grant aren’t flashy by any stretch of the imagination, but they are capable. Rowney put up 20 points in 62 games last year, and grant put up 24 in his 2017-28 campaign with Anaheim. I know this isn’t the popular choice, but I think it’s the right one.

Jordan German:

Nick Ritchie-Sam Steel-Daniel Sprong

Ritchie doesn’t have the best history with Ducks, mostly being looked at as a draft bust that never really lived up to his potential. He’s gotten better with time, however, as he ended up with a career-best 31 points in 60 games last season. One area he does well in is laying the body on hard, and with his big stature, he adds a little grit to a very young team. Still, he needs more time to prove that he’s ready to take the next step to go up into the higher lines.

Sam Steel played 22 games with Anaheim last season, and he managed 11 points during that short stint. He was the second Anaheim Ducks rookie to ever record a hat trick during their March game against the Vancouver Canucks, and he did it via the penalty shot. He shows promise to be a second or third-line center and needs another year down with the fourth to show what he can do.

Daniel Sprong was a very lucky pick up for the Ducks, as he turned out to be one of their premier young players last season in his first real stint with an NHL club. He has some incredible shooting talent, and with a bit of accuracy practice, and some more development, he could flourish as one of the top scorers for the Ducks.

Ciara Durant:

Carter Rowney-Derek Grant-Daniel Sprong

Carter Rowney and Derek Grant have both proven that they are reliable fourth line players. Dallas Eakins needs to roll out a reliable fourth line and there is no better pair to spearhead it than these two. The two are rather reserved, Grant more than Rowney, and adding Daniel Sprong into the mix could really ignite the fourth line and make it something special.

Daniel Sprong is so much more than a 4th line guy, that much is true. However, when it comes down to having him in Anaheim vs having him in San Diego, I feel like the Ducks benefit more from having him in their lineup.  As previously mentioned, Anaheim needs to spread out their talent evenly and having a sprightly young sniper in the bottom 6 would do just that. I have a feeling he will work his way up the lineup, but with Terry and Steel having the added benefit of already having a close relationship with Eakins, I think he will utilize them higher up in the lineup first before he does Sprong.

First Defensive Pairings

Khalid Hart:

Hampus Lindholm–Josh Manson

There isn’t much to discuss here. These guys love playing with each other. Manson recently stated in a team interview that they bring the best out of each other. Which is true both statistically and on the ice.

Jonathan Maxfield:

Hampus Lindholm-Josh Manson

I never want to see this line broken up again. In my eyes, and many others, when they’re on their game, they make up one of the best shutdown pairings in the entirety of the NHL. For a team that basically left John Gibson out to dry for all of last season, having to big-minute-chewers leading the charge on defense is the best course of action.

Jordan German:

Hampus Lindholm-Josh Manson

Lindholm has been a great defensive staple for the Ducks, playing at least 70 games in all but two of his six seasons. He’s kept his penalty minutes relatively low, and he’s even a great contributor to the offense. Last year, he had 28 points, 22 of which came from assists. He’s a fast and clean skater that can keep up on plays, and he consistently carries ut his role on defense well. Josh Manson has been a perfect compliment to Lindholm, playing at least 70 games in all of the seasons after his first, and his penalty minutes have stayed around 60 for the past two seasons. He’s not as much of a contributor as Lindholm, but Manson still plays defense well.

Ciara Durant:

Hampus Lindholm-Josh Manson

Hampus Lindholm is one of the most underrated defensemen in the NHL and the best defenseman in the Anaheim Ducks lineup. He is level headed and responsible both offensively and defensively. Josh Manson also adds something to the roster that the Ducks are in short supply of, and that is a defensively responsible defenseman.

The two have proven chemistry and after last season, the fans want to see these two reunited for good. Although it could benefit the Ducks to separate the two and spread the talent more evenly throughout the blueline, I don’t see it happening right away. The two are better together than they are apart, and they bring out the best in one another. There is no use separating the two unless Dallas Eakins feels it is absolutely necessary. If they were separated, however, I could see Manson being paired with Jacob Larsson again, but I’d rather have the Lindholm-Manson duo back together for the time being.

Second Defensive Pairings

Khalid Hart:

Brendan Guhle–Cam Fowler

We know what Fowler can do. We’ve seen his ups and downs since he started here. I expect him to have another strong season. We acquired Guhle towards the end of the season, so we only got a sample of his game due to injury. I’ll hold my judgment for now. I do believe that he has what it takes to be a Top 4 D so we will see what he can do with a full-time spot.

Jonathan Maxfield:

Brendan Guhle-Cam Fowler

I love the Guhle trade from minute 1. I love it more after watching Guhle in his brief stint in Anaheim last year. He and Fowler looked great together, Fowler playing his weak side really seemed to calm his play down, with less boneheaded decisions and more mature play style that was really impressive and Guhle looked superb. I am really excited by this pairing in the coming season.

Jordan German:

Cam Fowler- Jani Hakanppa

Fowler has really ramped up his production on offense while staying consistent on his defensive play. Although he played a career-low 59 games last season, he came out of it with 23 points, and he’s now back and able to play more games with Anaheim. He also adds the bonus of incredibly low penalty minutes, sticking around 20 minutes in all of his 9 seasons.

Jani Hakanpaa is a young defenseman with decent hockey IQ. Although he’s not at the skating level as the other defensemen, he’ll develop well with Eakins behind the bench and Fowler being his linemate. He’s kept his penalty minutes close to 60 minutes, with the only exception being last season for Karpat, in which he had 94. He has the possibility to make a great young defenseman that can skate smart and lay on the big body when need be.

Ciara Durant:

Brendan Guhle-Cam Fowler

Cam Fowler is one of the two players that made me fall in love with the NHL back in 2013. However, as I have learned more and expanded my knowledge of the sport, his struggles have become more noticeable. He is a great defenseman, and I believe a lot of his issues stem from not having a partner that can bring out the best in him.

From the small sample size we saw last season, moving Fowler to the right side and pairing him with Guhle was an incredibly smart move on Bob Murray‘s part. Fowler became more responsible, taking fewer risks. Brendan Guhle adds a youthful flair to the Top 4, and this gives him a chance to prove he can handle himself in this kind of role. I believe he will prove himself, and the Anaheim Ducks blueline will be better because of him.

Third Defensive Pairings

Khalid Hart:

Jacob Larsson-Jani Hakanppa

We’ve seen Larsson up here with the Anaheim Ducks and down in San Diego. It’s time to see what he can do for us on a longer-term rather than a few games here and there. I don’t know too much about Hakanpaa but I do know that is no time like the present to give him a try. Otherwise, what was the point of getting him just to put Michael Del Zotto and Wideman in front of him?

Jonathan Maxfield:

Jacob Larsson-Jani Hakanpaa

This is my prediction for what the lineup will be on day 1 for the 3rd pairings. It’s not necessarily what I think is the best possible 3rd pairing, however. But, with Jacob Larsson entering a contract year, and Hakanpaa matching the criteria Bob Murray was looking for in a big body who can play bigger minutes, I think this is what they’ll ultimately end up rolling with. Personally, I think the best possible option for 3rd pairing would be Josh Mahura and Chris Wideman, but I don’t see much chance of that happening.

Jordan German:

Brendan Guhle-Michael Del Zotto

Guhle came to Anaheim as a very young defensive prospect that had a lot of promise, but his season ended too soon with yet again another injury. Still, he’ll get another chance to make a difference for the Ducks this year, and he can add on to the 1 point he already has. His stat line in his final AHL year saw him achieve 27 points in 50 games, so he’s a decent contributor. If he can come back strong, he’ll make another great young addition to the team.

Del Zotto is an experienced veteran that has really played solid defense over his career. He’s not at all a contributor, but he brings along a defensive aspect that can never hurt. Along with his championship experience last season with St. Louis, he’ll be able to pass down all of his advice to Guhle. He’s slower now that he was when he was younger, but the most important part for him is getting Guhle ready for more NHL play.

Ciara Durant:

Jacob Larsson-Jani Hakanpaa

The third pairing is difficult to put my finger on. They resigned Michael Del Zotto, Korbinian Holzer, Chris Wiedman, and they also have Josh Mahura. However, Jacob Larsson will likely slot in on the third pairing because he is in a contract year. He has one last season to prove himself before the Anaheim Ducks either resign him or send him off to another team.

Jani Hakanpaa also fits Murray’s mold for a big physical defenseman. GMBM stated well before free agency that he was looking for a defenseman like that out of Europe. Signing Hakanpaa and not putting him in the lineup seems pointless. He could definetly aid the Anaheim Ducks, but I question how he will perform at the NHL level since he does not have any experience.

Goaltending

Khalid Hart:

John Gibson and Ryan Miller

John Gibson! Duh… Miller will definetly be the backup goalie for the foreseeable future barring any injury (knock on wood)

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Jonathan Maxfield:

John Gibson and Ryan Miller

I don’t even feel the need to explain this one. John Gibson is a top 3 goaltender in the NHL and Ryan Miller is, in my opinion, a top 3 backup in the NHL. They’re brilliant and this one is set in stone.

Jordan German:

John Gibson and Ryan Miller

Not a very tough choice here, definitely Gibson as starter and Miller as a back-up. Gibson is a young superstar that has proved he can carry a team like J.S. Giguere once did, but for the occasional off day, Ryan Miller has always been a very reliable goalie, and he can go as long as needed as he did in 2017-2018.

Ciara Durant:

John Gibson and Ryan Miller

Goaltending is really the only part of the lineup the Anaheim Ducks have figured out. John Gibson is, without a doubt, one of the best, and yet highly underrated, goaltenders in the entire NHL. After signing his large contract prior to the 2018-19 season, he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Especially after his phenomenal performance as the team’s starter last season.

Ryan Miller has also acted as a first-class backup, allowing the Anaheim Ducks to be represented well in the net. Despite aging, he has yet to slow down, and barring injury like the one he suffered last year, he should perform well again this year as his career winds down to its end.

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