32 in (roughly) 32 Season Preview: Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim looks to vie for a playoff spot after stellar off-season

Since this is the first of the series, I’ll explain the format quickly. Basically, I’ll be looking at each team and their performance during the off-season (players they’ve added and lost since the end of the season) and grading their off-season performance. Then, I’ll run down their projected lines and my expectations for their season. Expectations will be divided into the following 4 categories: Cup Favourites: These are the absolute best teams. These teams are locks for the playoffs and have the best chance at winning the DCHL cup. Playoffs: These are the teams that will likely make the playoffs but could miss out should everything go wrong for them. Competitive: These are the teams who will really have to fight for their playoff spot.  Rebuild: These are the teams that are currently rebuilding and are basically locks to miss the playoffs. 

Team: Anaheim Ducks

GM: Dan Pregent

Power Ranking Placement: 19/32 in league, 5/8 in division, 11/16 in conference

Significant Additions:

Victor Hedman, D - 90 OV

Mark Scheifele, C/W - 90 OV

Blake Wheeler, C/W - 87 OV

Martin Jones, G - 85 OV

Mikhail Sergachev, D - 84 OV

Robert Thomas, C/W - 84 OV

Significant Subtractions:

Yanni Gourde, C/W - 85 OV

Paul Stastny, C/W - 83 OV

Tyson Barrie, D - 83 OV

Alexander Holtz, C/W - Prospect

Kent Johnson, C/W - Prospect

Petr Mrazek, G - 81 OV

Denis Gurianov, C/W - 81 OV

Offseason grade: A+ 

Aside from two players, the Ducks really didn't lose much of value this off-season. The biggest losses, in my opinion, are Kent Johnson and Alexander Holtz. However, Holtz was used in order to acquire Hedman and Wheeler and Johnson was used to acquire Robert Thomas and Mikhail Sergachev. At the very least, they got an amazing return for both players. I think a lot of people questioned this decision as many believed Anaheim would be a rebuilding team, but GMDP had other plans. I have a difficult time seeing a more improved team this off-season. The additions list doesn’t even include all of the players they’ve added. This team has really turned it around and are looking to fight for a playoff spot. They just have to figure out the cap situation.

Projected Lineup: 

Forsberg - Scheifele - Wheeler

Necas - R. Thomas - Atkinson

Dadonov - T. Moore - M. Joseph

Kase - N. Roy - Cogliano

-

Hedman - Clifton

Sergachev - Gudbranson

Vaakanainen - Poolman

-

Reimer

M. Jones

Quote from the GM:

GM Dan Pregent said of his expectations for this season: “Ducks are looking to compete this year but are in need of goaltending and another top 4 d-man. We are also maybe looking at offloading near season's end for draft picks and prospects. It all depends on how the season goes…but the ducks are looking to draft in the first round next year no matter what.”

Season Expectations: Competitive

Now, I agree that the ducks will be competitive this year. However, the Ducks have one fatal flaw: being in the Pacific division. There is seemingly a very clear top 3 in the Pacific, which means every other team in that division by default is fighting for a wild card spot, which also means the Ducks are not only fighting the other 4 teams in their division, but 5 teams from the other division. They are definitely capable of fighting for that spot, but they look to compete with, among others, the Knights, Blues, Stars, Predators, and Oilers. GMDP is very aware of the changes that need to be made. Their forward group is elite but their goaltending is mediocre and their defense, top 3 aside, is lacking a lot. If they want to make a run this year, their focus should be adding a 2nd or 3rd pairing D. Then, they should address their goaltending if possible, however, I think there are better teams with worse tandems so this shouldn't be too much of a concern. It sounds like the future of this team depends on how they perform leading up to the trade deadline. They'll either be fighting for a spot or blowing up their team and commencing a rebuild, so they'll be a team to watch this season.

Tomorrow, we’ll be taking a look at the Arizona Coyotes. Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful day!