Pucks of a Feather
Fansided

The Power Five of the Anaheim Ducks

By Jonathan Watson

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 08: Goaltender John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks is congratulated by teammates Josh Manson #42, Brendan Guhle #2 and Cam Fowler #4 following an NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on October 8, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Anaheim defeated Detroit 3-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 08: Goaltender John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks is congratulated by teammates Josh Manson #42, Brendan Guhle #2 and Cam Fowler #4 following an NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on October 8, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Anaheim defeated Detroit 3-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Anaheim Ducks
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 08: Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) stops a point blank shot with his chest during the Detroit Red Wings game versus the Anaheim Ducks on October 8, 2019, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Great Wall in Net

John Gibson has proven himself as one of the best goalies in the league over the last few years, but as time goes on, he keeps being shortchanged during the Vezina trophy conversation year in and year out. He’s also dealt with his fair share of injuries, but in the end, this guy has been anything but a scrub.

Gibson has carried this team on his back in previous years, but last year felt like something completely different. It felt like everything fell on Gibson’s shoulders with the negativity and having to do some heavy-lifting to make sure the team didn’t completely fall apart. However, this year I believe this is a new start for him, and I believe he will not only win the Vezina, but he will be the main reason the Anaheim Ducks could make a deep playoff run. Barring injuries, Gibson will carry the Ducks and will make this team a dangerous factor heading into April.

Best “Kase” Scenario

It could go without saying that all teams in the NHL need a guy who is a spark plug. Someone who isn’t a fifty-point scorer, but a skater that comes off the bench and uplifts the team to keep going. Anaheim’s biggest source of energy is none other than the one who picks up the “Czech”, Ondrej Kase. There have been games over the last few years where either he scores a goal or sets up a big play on defense that just seems to rile the team up together in the best way. He might be one of the younger guys, but he has really upped his style, and this year he will be extra important as one of the younger guards leading the other youths to a great start.

When head coach Dallas Eakins said that he wanted to change things up in terms of play style, Kase’s hard-working attitude really fit that new desire. This opportunity with a new coach will be a great one for Ondrej considering that he has amazing speed and can create scoring opportunities for everyone on the ice, he’s everything that Eakins is looking for in a player. Along with his defensive prowess, he’s a guy that could be plugged into the lower lines and still perform fantastically.

When the trade rumors swirled around Kase, fans were upset for a good reason. He’s a fan favorite because of the promise that he shows and all the flashy plays that he brings along with it, so his departure would have been a devastating one for the organization and fans alike. When the fans found out he was staying in Orange County, it was a sigh of relief for everyone. Here’s to another year of Kase leading the charge.

Home/Ducks News