Anaheim Ducks: Creating a Lineup of Only Ex-Players
Forwards
Bobby Ryan (.54) – Mathieu Perreault (.29) – Corey Perry (.59)
Bobby Ryan gets the nod at left-wing due to his history of playing with and improving the game of Corey Perry. While both of these player’s skills are somewhat outdated in today’s game, the prospect of Ryan and Perry together made it difficult not to pencil them in on the first line. Perreault has been a steady secondary contributor on a potent offensive team in the Winnipeg Jets since his departure. He will serve as Ryan and Perry’s makeshift Ryan Getzlaf.
David Perron (1.84) – Nick Bonino (1.07) – Kyle Palmieri (1.83)
Disclaimer: I get it. Based on their GSVA’s, this should be the first line. But still, Perry/Ryan slander will not be tolerated in this article, all things considered.
This is an effective second line. It compares quite favorably to the average second line in the league based on GSVA. Palmieri is a consistent threat to pot 30 goals any given year. Bonino has been a steady presence on very successful teams and has won a Cup. Perron has been producing near a point-per-game since his departure from the Anaheim Ducks, and he has been in the Stanley Cup Final twice, winning once.
Pat Maroon (.61) – Devin Shore (-0.15) – Ondrej Kase (1.27)
Oh, how I miss Ondrej Kase. The first negative GSVA creeps into the ex-Ducks lineup here. However, Shore is only a couple of seasons removed from scoring 30 points in consecutive seasons, and he is still young, suggesting the potential for a return to form.
Patrick Maroon is not hard to justify being on the team. With a slightly inflated GSVA (due to Tampa Bay’s dominance), Maroon’s value truly comes from his locker room presence. Plus, he seems to not be able to lose. Last, but not least, the beloved Ondrej Kase. Jacob Perreault and Danton Heinen seem to be a decent consolation prize, but who can replace that motor of his?
Carl Hagelin (.60) – Andrew Cogliano (.20) – Nick Ritchie (.57)
The GSVA’s have surprised me for these players. Before I started on this journey, I expected the fourth, and probably even the third lines to be filled with no-names. Hagelin has won two Cups since his departure, playing an integral part in the famous “HBK” line in 2016. Cogliano is aptly playing a shutdown role for his new Stars squad. The Nick Ritchie saga finally came to an end at last year’s trade deadline. He projects to be a productive depth player for a deep Bruins team.