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) /
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Anaheim Ducks
ANAHEIM, CA – MARCH 8: Cam Fowler #4 of the Anaheim Ducks skates with the puck during the game against the Montreal Canadiens on March 8, 2019 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Cam, Oh Cam

The third person on this Power Five list is our defensive captain, Cam Fowler. Fowler has gotten a lot of grief due to some of his offensive inefficiencies, especially on the power play. While that is a struggle for him, I put him on this list simply because he is the longest-tenured Duck on the defensive front. Fowler can help tutor the younger ducklings on defense how to play their positions and that is key. Plus, he has struck already with a game-winner this season, and if he can give at least fifteen to twenty goals while assisting on defense, he will be a lethal weapon that the Ducks can use, particularly in this style of play.

Another reason I put him on this list is that he has the potential of Scott Niedermayer in terms of a leadership role on the team. Now, before people overreact, I am not saying he can mirror his style of play, though that is possible. What I am saying is this: when the Ducks won the cup in ’07, Niedermayer was the captain, and though he didn’t score a lot of goals, his veteran presence was enough to lead the younger players. Now fast forward twelve years later, and now Fowler is in that role, and with a lot of younger guys, and not a lot of veteran defensive presence, Fowler is the guy who can settle things down when things start to get crazy and that, more than anything else, is key in times like this.

Feeling Ritch Today?

Nick Ritchie is the one player that puzzles all Anaheim Ducks fans. He’s known for being in the penalty box for stupid antics, but at the same time, his big frame and physical strength has also been effective as well. The deciding factor of putting him on the list over other qualifying candidates is that unlike the others, Ritchie may have to prove he belongs on this team due to how he has been inconsistent while others have progressed so far. While some people have given up on him, I haven’t, because he’s a guy who can find ways to help the team whether it’s him being the enforcer, or him on the offensive side getting some big boy rebound goals.

Ritchie needs to have a fantastic year to prove his worth on this list, plain and simple. I’m not saying he hasn’t produced at all, having that game-winning goal in Game Seven against the Oilers just a  few years ago was a gigantic help, but with all the younger and faster guys on the team, Ritchie needs to stand out. Ritchie doesn’t have to fill the slot of a scoring machine, but he does need to find ways to produce in other facets that include limiting penalties while continuing to bruise the opposition. If he can find a good balance, Ritchie will definitely earn his spot on this list while becoming a true driving force for the Anaheim Ducks.

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