Putting Together the Anaheim Ducks Super Team of the Decade
With the 2010s quickly coming to a close, let’s take a look back and see who would make the cut for the Anaheim Ducks super team of the decade.
This past decade has certainly been a roller coaster for the Anaheim Ducks. The franchise as a whole has gone through too many ups and downs to count. As we enter the final month of the decade, we’re introducing a new “end of the decade” series here at Pucks of a Feather. We’re starting with a super team, comprised of all the Ducks best players from the last decade. Who makes the cut? Who doesn’t? Share your super team of the decade in the comments below!
Disclaimer: These lines were put together for storytelling purposes. Not for actual playing ability.
First Line
Corey Perry–Ryan Getzlaf–Teemu Selanne
These three need no introduction. Three of the last five members of the ’07 Cup-winning team to play in the 2010s. Teemu Selanne, Ryan Getzlaf, and Corey Perry all led the Ducks to semi-successful seasons.
Corey Perry served as an Alternate Captain next to his ‘twin’ for a number of seasons. In 2011, Corey Perry became the first Duck to win both the Hart Memorial Trophy for league MVP and the Maurice Richard Trophy for most goals in a season with 50. He would play 988 games and put up 776 points with the team before heading to Dallas during the most recent off-season.
In 2010, Ryan Getzlaf was given the honorable title of Captain for the team and led them to a franchise-record of 5 consecutive Pacific Division titles from 2013-2017. He recently reached his 1,000th game with the franchise and is the only Duck in history to play his entire career with the team and 1,000 games with the team. Getzlaf currently holds the franchise record for assists with 674 (maybe that’s why he doesn’t shoot very often?)
Teemu Selanne would end his illustrious 21-year career with the Ducks in 2013-14. He would amass 988 career points with the Anaheim Ducks alone and still holds the record for most goals and points in franchise history. The following season on January 11th, 2015 the Ducks would retire his number.
Second Line
Bobby Ryan–Ryan Kesler–Jakob Silfverberg
Drafted 2nd overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Bobby Ryan played for the Ducks for 6 seasons. During his time with the franchise, he put up 289 career points in 378 games. In the summer of 2013, the Ducks would trade him to the Ottawa Senators for Jakob Silfverberg.
Silfy has played almost his entire career with the Ducks, nearing 500 games played with the franchise; currently sitting at 472GP. He serves as one of the Ducks current Alternative Captains and is leading the team in goals scored, tied with Getzlaf, for the 2019-20 season. JS33 was also apart of one of the most dominating second lines in team history.
Another member of this said line was Ryan Kesler, who was brought to the Ducks via a trade with the Vancouver Canucks. He played for 5 seasons, putting up 180 points in 346 games. His efforts nearly led the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015. During his time with the team, he has been to an All-Star Game and served as the Alternate Captain for a number of years.
Third Line
Kyle Palmieri–Nick Bonino–Rickard Rakell
Kyle Palmieri began his career in the 2010-11 season with the Ducks. He would play there for 5 seasons and put up 89 points in 198 games and played a big role in the ’14-’15 playoff run. After that, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils over the summer.
Just like Palmieri, Nick Bonino also played in Anaheim for 5 seasons and he put up very similar numbers with 82 points in 189 games. In June of 2014, he would be traded to Vancouver and they brought over Ryan Kesler.
Rickard Rakell is the future of the team. He’s been with the team since the 2012-13 season and has only gotten better each year. He was an All-Star in 2018. In 410 games he has amassed 260 goals. He will hit 500 games with the team next season.
Fourth Line
Andrew Cogliano–Saku Koivu–Adam Henrique
He doesn’t have an iron suit but we still call him Iron Man. Andrew “Iron Man” Cogliano was traded to Anaheim in the summer of 2011 from Edmonton. He played 584 games for Anaheim and only missed 2 due to a questionable ruling by the Department of Player Safety. In those 584 games, he scored 233 points. He is also tied with Paul Kariya for the franchise record of Short Handed Goals with 16. While not really known for his goal-scoring fans admired his speed, defense, and ability to remain healthy in the sport of hockey. Earlier this year he was traded to Dallas for Devin Shore.
Saku Koivu played with the Ducks for 5 seasons before retiring in 2014. He played 332 games and amassed 191 points with the team. He was also an alternate captain and he played a role in Ryan Getzlaf becoming team captain.
Adam Henrique was acquired via trade from the New Jersey Devils and in return, they received Sami Vatanen and 3rd round pick. Since then he’s been with the team for 3 years playing in 167 games and putting up 92 points. With the loss of Ryan Kesler, he’s been a huge pickup at the 2C position.
Defense Pairings
Scott Niedermayer–Cam Fowler
Cam Fowler broke into the league in 2010 and has been a mainstay in the defensive unit ever since. He’s played 648 games and posted 287 points. Fowler currently holds the record for most points by a defenseman with 287 and leads all defensemen in assists with 224. There’s only one other defenseman who comes close to those numbers and his name is Scott Niedermayer.
While he didn’t technically play in the 2010’s he did finish his career in 2010. In his final season, he put up 48 points in 80 games. He has served as a mentor for the aforementioned Cam Fowler Last season, he had his number retired by the Ducks and hung in the rafters next to Selanne and Kariya’s numbers.
Francois Beauchemin–Hampus Lindholm
Francois Beauchemin was another blueline mainstay for the Ducks in the 2010s. He served three different terms with the team before, during, and after the Cup win. He would play from 2005-2009, 2010-2015 and then one final season in 2017-18 to retire with the team. He played 592 games and picked up 196 points.
Like Niedermayer, Beauchemin has also played a role in grooming some of the defensemen of today’s team. One of those defensemen being Hampus Lindholm. This Swede got his start in the 2013-14 season and has played in 467 games for 183 points. Like Rakell is another player of the future to watch.
Josh Manson-Sami Vatanen
Josh Manson got his start during the 2014-15 season. While not the most offensively skilled defenseman he does put up a fight when necessary. He’s probably the toughest guy on this lineup. In 346 games he’s put up 91 points so very close to hitting that centennial 100 points. Before being traded for the aforementioned Adam Henrique, Sami Vatanen was one of the better offensive defensemen in the team and was very good on the power play. He got his start during the 2012-13 season and in 280 games he’s picked up 126 points.
Goaltending
John Gibson
John Gibson has started his illustrious career with Anaheim in the 2013-14 season. He got a shutout in his first playoff game vs the LA Kings. He shared the William M. Jennings Trophy with Frederik Andersen and was in the 2019 All-Star game. He has played 257 games and has a record of 127-88-30.
Gibson holds the franchise record save percentage at .920%. In what is a still contested debate Gibson was selected over Andersen in what was a franchise-altering decision. During the Vegas Expansion Draft, only one goalie could be kept. GMBM chose to go with Gibson and traded Andersen to the Toronto Maple Leafs a month before the draft.
Frederik Andersen
Frederik Andersen played with the Anaheim Ducks for 3 seasons. He was apart of the 1-2 goalie punch that was him and Gibson. Brian Hayward often referred to them as a “1A, 1B” because you couldn’t go wrong with either one. He played 125 games and had a record of 77-26-12. He was given the helm during the 2014-15 playoffs and got the Ducks all the way to Game 7 in the Western Conference Final. A year later he would be traded to the Maple Leafs so that he wouldn’t be lost for nothing during the Vegas Expansion draft. Andersen leaves behind his franchise record GAA of 2.33
Ryan Miller
The Ducks have seen many backups come and go over the years but none have been better than Ryan Miller. In the summer of 2017 the Ducks signed free agent Ryan Miller and boy has he been good. He’s played for the team for 3 seasons and has played 56 games and has a record of 24-14-10. He also broke the record for most NHL wins by an American goalie. He’s currently a backup but still plays like a starter.
Head Coach
In my personal opinion, I believe Bruce Boudreau was the better coach. Despite having multiple home game 7 losses on his record he still did coach the team to 5 Pacific Division titles. If anything Randy Carlyle can be the Assistant Coach or a coaching advisor much like Darryl Sutter is doing with Dallas Eakins.
More from Ducks News
- Who could the Anaheim Ducks consider presenting offer sheets to?
- Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
- Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
- Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
- How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?
Honorable Mentions
Jared Boll: For breaking Johnathan Quick with a great goal.
Derek Grant: For bringing Ducks Twitter together. #GritLord #Elite1C
Jonas Hiller: He served us well prior to falling to vertigo. He was never the same after.
The Lineup in Its Entirety
For those interested in the actual lineup:
Corey Perry-Ryan Getzlaf-Teemu Selanne
Bobby Ryan-Ryan Kesler-Jakob Silfverberg
Kyle Palmeri-Nick Bonino-Rickard Rakell
Andrew Cogliano-Saku Koivu-Adam Henrique
Scott Niedermayer-Cam Fowler
Francois Beauchemin-Hampus Lindholm
Josh Manson-Sami Vatanen
John Gibson
Frederik Anderson/Ryan Miller
Coach: Bruce Boudreau
Next. Rickard Rakell Launches Initiative with Mans Best Friend. dark
Are you a passionate Anaheim Ducks fan that would enjoy writing for Pucks of a Feather? If so, click the link above for more info on how you can join us in writing!