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Anaheim Ducks: Rise of the New Guard In 2019-2020

By Jonathan Watson

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 05: Anaheim Ducks players react after center Carter Rowney (24) scored a gaol in the first 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 players react after center Carter Rowney (24) scored a gaol in the first 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, CA – APRIL 3: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks hands his stick to a fan as the game’s third star following a 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) /

The Final Verdict

So with all that I said, what do I believe will be the Ducks’ outcome this year? Do I believe we’re contenders? Not yet, but there are still things that could change that might switch that belief for me. Do I believe that they will be bottom dwellers again? Not a chance. In the end, there are three reasons why the Ducks will be a playoff contender and make some waves.

Health is the first and foremost important factor for a successful season. I think whatever plagued this team over the last few years finally gets broken and finds another team to haunt. I think the main stars play the majority of the season without seeing IR time, and we won’t be reading a long list of injured players again.

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The younger guys are another big factor for another playoff run. They showed why they belong last year in many different ways. Some with their offensive flair, others with their physicality on both sides of the ice. In any case, If those skaters improve even more from last year, they will find spots in the big show all year long.

The last reason as to why the Anaheim Ducks will be better as a whole is a weakened Pacific Division. I think as you look at the division, the three main threats at the top are the San Jose Sharks, the Calgary Flames, and the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Sharks are one of the main threats to consider, but Pavelski leaving San Jose, combined with Thornton getting older, the Sharks may have to go younger as well with a prospect pool that isn’t as deep. The Flames are great in the regular season, but last year they really got burned out in the playoffs to Colorado, pardon the pun. As for the other main threat in Vegas, they’ll have to hit the wall of being an expansion franchise and have a losing season. Plus, I don’t know how they have recovered from last year’s epic game seven collapse to San Jose.

As far as Arizona, Edmonton, and Vancouver, all three franchises are young, but I think are too far behind San Jose, Vegas, and Calgary to contend for a top 3 spot in the division. Even our biggest rivals in the Kings are getting better and younger, but much slower than the rest. As a result, I think the Ducks may be able to squeeze into the playoffs as the fourth team in the Pacific. They could be a true sleeper team come April.

In the end, this Ducks team has a future that is very bright, but there will be bumps along that road to the future. No matter what, I believe that with a weakened Pacific Division, a fantastic youth pool, and a healthier team, they can shock everyone with a playoff berth Those reasons are why I believe that this season is one that could be very special.

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