Pucks of a Feather
Fansided

Five Bold Predictions for the Anaheim Ducks 2019-20 Season

By Ciara Durant

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Nicolas Deslauriers #20 of the Anaheim Ducks and Blake Lizotte #46 of the Los Angeles Kings get ready for the play during the third period of the preseason game at STAPLES Center on September 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Nicolas Deslauriers #20 of the Anaheim Ducks and Blake Lizotte #46 of the Los Angeles Kings get ready for the play during the third period of the preseason game at STAPLES Center on September 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Anaheim Ducks
VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 25: Anaheim Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie (37) skates up ice during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on February 25, 2019, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 4-0. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Nick Ritchie will Have a 50 Point Season

Before everyone picks up stones to throw at me, hear me out. Nick Ritchie is a good NHL player. Now, let me say that again. Nick Ritchie is a good NHL player! While he may not ever live up to his Top 10 draft status, he has shown the potential to be a valuable asset to the Anaheim Ducks roster. Get rid of all his penalties and you’re left with the blueprint for a power forward who can slot in anywhere in the Top 9.

Yes, we cannot avoid the fact that Nick Ritchie led the Anaheim Ducks in PIM last season. He is in need of a huge attitude adjustment, but as mentioned in a recent article from Anaheim Calling, the entire team needs to change their undisciplined culture, not just Nick Ritchie. The addition of a player first coach such as Dallas Eakins has changed the culture in the locker room, and it has already begun translating on the ice. In time, we hope to see this change go even further in helping the Ducks transition away from their physical and sometimes bullying ways.

More from Ducks News

As mentioned, Eakins is a player first coach. He values his players and uses their strengths to benefit the entire team. Randy Carlyle was set in his ways, predictable in his roster construction and almost unwilling to make changes even if that meant that a player wasn’t in a role that promoted healthy production and development. To further matters, there was absolutely no accountability for the team.

While we shouldn’t put much stock in preseason, Eakins paired Ritchie with Ryan Getzlaf more often than not. This will not only provide him with more accountability than he’s ever had on the team but should he continue to play alongside the captain, he will be playing top-line minutes. Eakins has also utilized him more on special teams, which will be great for his production.

If he is able to come to a place where he realizes that he doesn’t need to be a bully to play a good game of hockey we could see a different side of Nick Ritchie this season, a more improved version that will be better for the entire team. Last season, he was on pace to have a 42 point season. If he can stay healthy, stay accountable, and continue on the upward trend, the 24-year-old power forward is set to have a record-breaking season.

Prediction: Nick Ritchie still leads the Anaheim Ducks in PIM, but cuts down significantly. He continues his upward trend and ends the season with an even 50 points.

dark. Next. Daniel Sprong's Future with the Ducks Unclear

Do you love the Anaheim Ducks enough to write about them? Are you looking to try something new this season to get more involved in the Ducks community? Pucks of a Feather is looking to fill our team with more dedicated contributors for the 2019-20 season! Apply today!

Home/Ducks News