Anaheim Ducks: Struggles will One Day Turn into Stanley Cup Glory
It has been a long time since I’ve written anything, and if I’m being transparent, it’s been hard to write anything positive about the 2020-21 Anaheim Ducks season. When the season started, things looked bright, the new kids showed they could play with the big boys. They scored goals, made plays on defense, and gave me hope that in a truncated season, they could be the team that no one saw coming.
However, it was oh so fleeting. Sure, we knew that the competition in the West Division would be a humdinger with Vegas, Colorado, and St. Louis being in our division, but what I didn’t expect was our beloved team struggling to beat teams like Arizona, Minnesota, San Jose, and of course our cross-town rivals, the LA Kings.
Some can say that this season is to be expected because we’ve been spoiled by years of success. While I agree to a certain point, I do think that there have been questionable, or dare I say underwhelming decisions made by this team.
Between Head Coach Dallas Eakins making nonsensical line changes during games or playing certain goalies on bad nights, it is no wonder his job has been scrutinized. I have also been disappointed by how the veterans have played, like Rickard Rakell, Jakob Silfverberg, and Kevin Shattenkirk. Their lack of results are leading to bad play on the ice and hanging John Gibson out to dry.
Enjoy the rest of the Anaheim Ducks Season
I can write on and on and on about the necessary changes that need to be made organizationally, but my fellow writers have done yeoman’s work on pointing out the weaknesses. So instead, I’m going to say what everyone has been saying all year long: this season stinks. We are far removed from the days where we were the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Do I think we can be competitive again soon? Yes. But, I’m slowly adopting that we must rebuild and it’s going to be painful.
My advice is this: enjoy the remainder of the season. Don’t look for how we can be better moving forward, we’ve circled the wagons time and time again. Just enjoy our guys playing the rest of the season without any interruptions.
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?
Last season, our year was cut short, and there wasn’t anything positive to write or talk about. So, in the next few weeks, let’s just be fans. Let’s remember what it was like to simply be fans. Will we struggle on our way home, yes? I can’t give anything better than just enjoy the games. Root for the rookies who will lead the team in the future, soak in what could be Ryan Miller‘s final games in the NHL, and look forward to the future as the Ducks set themselves up to draft high in this year’s NHL Entry Draft.
The Struggles Will One Day Turn into Stanley Cup Glory
I will say this though. Despite the gloom Ducks fans have been through these last few years, the one thing I can say for sure is the future can look bright. Now, I’m not making any prognostications and saying that the Anaheim Ducks will make the playoffs any time soon. I will say this though, Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale have shown us what they can do in the spotlight, and it’s been a source of hope.
They have shown that they have raw talent or the right attitude to make it far in the league. With time, they can grow and become the stars we will talk about for years to come. Until then, embrace the pain now, embrace the struggle together. The pain that we suffer now, in time, the tears of pain will translate to Stanley Cup euphoria.
Next. Luke Hughes Lives up to his Pedigree. dark
Are you a passionate Anaheim Ducks fan that loves reading Pucks of a Feather? If so, we would love to have you on board as a contributor!