Anaheim Ducks Mailbag: Ryan Getzlaf’s Retirement Plans

4.) What do you think the Ducks should do regarding their top six heading into the 2021 season and would the changing philosophy of players coming in possibly impact guys like Rakell or Jones?

Ben Thomasian: I guess that one depends on whether you believe they need a full rebuild or can make minor tweaks to get back to cup contenders if that is indeed their aim (I doubt it is in truth, just making the playoffs has been this teams Stanley Cup for the last decade).

Personally, I think they should sell “high” if they can and try to get younger. Henrique,  Silf, Rakell are all nice players you add to an already good roster,  but they’re not players you build around. I’d attempt to trade one or two of them and persevere with a youth movement, though that may be near impossible with their current cap constraints and the market as it is.

If the Anaheim Ducks would be required to add draft picks or prospects to the trade to move those players out, like I suspect may be the case, then I guess I would just roll with it. They’re not in a bad position, but I struggle to see how a largely veteran forward group will get better, nor how the Ducks will maximize their prospects (e.g. Comtois) development, at present.

Garrett Brown: The Anaheim Ducks have as fluid of a “top 6” as I can think of. Getzlaf, Adam Henrique, Jakob Silfverberg, and Rickard Rakell are probably fixtures, but staying true to my original notion, I can see these guys moving up and down the lineup as well. In addition to them, players like Danton Heinen, Sonny Milano, Troy Terry, and Max Jones all project to get chances playing top 6 minutes. And I have to say, this group doesn’t scream “contender” to me.

Going back to the last question, I truly do think Murray should address this through free agency or otherwise. Bulking up that top 6, and providing more talent seems like priority number one at this point. If I had my way, we would see Duclair or Mike Hoffman coming in to shore up our depth on offense. Unless something of this magnitude occurs, I think the Ducks will be moving forward with a “top 6 by committee”, and I don’t like their chances.

Brad Senecal: Disclaimer: As excited as most Ducks fans are about Trevor Zegras joining the team, I am an advocate to give him more time. I was admittedly a bit disappointed when he signed, as I believed another year in the NCAA would do him a lot of good, but I am hoping he stays with San Diego for most of this year. Between him, Brayden Tracey, Sam Colangelo, and Jacob Perreault, I believe the combinations of the top 6 will be interesting.

As far as this year goes, I hope that Dallas Eakins goes back to playing Sam Steel as a center for Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg. Steel has had a good amount of success playing with these two and I believe will give him the best opportunity to meet his potential, with Rakell the creative sniper with good hands and Silfverberg an already smart offensive and defensive winger.

For the next two lines, I am unsure who you would call the second and third line, but I would definitely like to see Max Jones paired with Ryan Getzlaf and Troy Terry pair with Adam Henrique. Getzlaf has had success with bigger body players who have a knack for getting to the net (Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan, Pat Maroon are a couple that come to mind) and Jones has been a sparkplug of sorts and I believe could have a great year with the captain.

Terry has been asked to be a scoring threat, and while that has been far from the case, he has shown the ability to play well defensively, carry the puck, and dish out to teammates. Pair him with the smart center of Adam Henrique who has proven capable of putting the puck in the net and I believe Terry will see the benefits.

Ciara Durant: I honestly don’t think we’re going to see much change to the Top 6. I am in the same camp as Brad concerning Zegras. I don’t think it’s a good idea for Murray and co. to push him into the NHL too fast. While I believe he could probably handle himself sufficiently, I would like to see him spend some time with the San Diego Gulls before making the permanent jump into the NHL. Especially because I believe other players deserve a chance to prove themselves this season and with Zegras in the mix, that throws a wrench into that plan.

Again, like Brad, I have been a huge advocate for seeing Terry play permanently alongside Adam Henrique. Rickard Rakell probably won’t be affected much, he’s going to remain in the Top 6, whether it’s beside Getzlaf or Silfverberg. As for Max Jones, with players like Maxime Comtois, Sonny Milano, Danton Heinen now in the mix, I don’t know exactly where he fits in. I think this is going to be a prove-it season for both Jones and Comtois, so may the best Max win.