As most know, the Anaheim Ducks had another rough season and missed the playoffs for the third straight season. That being said, there were some bright spots throughout the year, as many pieces of their young core showed improvement in comparison to last season.
In particular, some of the young forwards made notable improvements in their overall game and numbers. I will be discussing the left-wingers and attempt to give an accurate grade for their play throughout the 2020-21 season.
Danton Heinen
First up to grade will be Danton Heinen. Heinen played in 43 games this season, registering 7 goals and 7 assists. Of his 14 points, just a lone goal came on the power play, as most of his scoring was done during even strength.
His possession numbers were at 48.4 CF% ( CF% is blocks, shots, and misses for and against) while his OIGF (on-ice goals for) was 18 and his OIGA (on-ice goals against) was 27. His numbers would seem to dictate that he is an average player on a bad team.
Final Grade: B-
Nicolas Deslauriers
Nicolas Deslauriers played in his second season for the Anaheim Ducks after being acquired from the Canadiens in the summer of 2019. Deslauriers appeared in 49 games, scoring 5 goals and 5 assists, all during even strength.
His possession numbers were pretty consistent from last season, improving just slightly from 44.1 CF to 44.5. Additionally, his OIGF dropped from 22 to 18, and his OIGA stayed the same at 25, despite playing in 10 fewer games. Considering all that, and his role as a fourth-line enforcer, his numbers do not come as a surprise.
Final Grade: C
Max Jones
Finally, we get to a promising young player in the Ducks system in the name of Max Jones. Max Jones, who was a first-round selection in 2017, completed his third season in Anaheim, playing in 46 games. He registered 11 points (7g, 4a), with 3 of those points (2g, 1a) coming on the power play.
Jones improved his shooting percentage to a career-high 9.1% while seeing his possession numbers dip slightly from 50% CF last season to 48.4% this season. Additionally, his even-strength play was similar to last season having an identical OIGF with 20 and a slight increase in OIGA from 27 to 29. Jones is a developing young player on a rebuilding roster, and should not be graded too harshly for average play.
Final Grade: B
Max Comtois
No forward in the Ducks system improved anywhere near as much as Max Comtois. After playing in parts of the last two seasons, Comtois played in 55 of the 56 games this year, establishing himself as a real key piece to the Anaheim Ducks’ core going forward.
He led the team with a career-high 33 points, which included a career-high 16 goals and a career-high 17 assists. Of his 33 points, just 4 came with the extra man, as Comtois was a real force during 5 on 5 play. That is backed up by his 50.5 CF%, which includes 35 OIGF, and 29 OIGA.
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By contrast, his CF% his first two stints in Anaheim were 33.6%, and 42.8% respectively. These numbers are legit, with the hope that Max Comtois will become a solid top 6 forward for the Ducks for many seasons to come.
Final Grade: A
Alexander Volkov
Alexander Volkov was a midseason trade acquisition from the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played in 18 games with Anaheim, and had 4 goals and 4 assists, all coming at even strength. Volkov came to the Anaheim Ducks with some underwhelming possession numbers in Tampa Bay, but improved them slightly in his cup of coffee with the Ducks.
He went from 39.9 CF% to 45.9%. In his 18 games, his OIGF was 9 and his OIGA was 10, which shows he was pretty average all-around. Alexander Volkov did just enough to be mentioned but his small sample size leaves a lot to be desired.
Final Grade: C
Anaheim Ducks Other Left-Wingers
Andrew Agozzino and Sonny Milano are also listed at left wing, but given their seasons, it is unfair to grade them. Agozzino played in only 3 games; an injury call-up from the San Diego Gulls. Sonny Milano played in just six games before an upper-body injury cost him the rest of the season.
Final Grade: Incomplete
Stats can be found on hockey-reference.com. Updated through 6/14/2021