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Anaheim Ducks Expert Panel: Exploring 2019-20 Lineup Options

By Ciara Durant

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 3: Derek Grant #38 and Carter Rowney #24 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrate their 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames on April 3, 2019 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 3: Derek Grant #38 and Carter Rowney #24 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrate their 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames on April 3, 2019 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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CALGARY, AB – MARCH 29: Anaheim Ducks Defenceman Cam Fowler (4) warms up before an NHL game where the Calgary Flames hosted the Anaheim Ducks on March 29, 2019, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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.

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