2013 Season Preview – Anaheim Ducks

Last Season – The Ducks finished 32-36-12, good for 80 points and 13th place in the Western Conference.  They missed the playoffs by 15 points.

Saying Goodbye – JF Jacques, Lubomir Visnovsky, Niklas Hagman, George Parros, Dan Ellis, Jason Blake, Justin Schultz

Saying Hello – Sheldon Souray, Bryan Allen, Brad Staubitz, Daniel Winnik

Ready to Step In – Kyle Palmeiri played 18 games in Anaheim last season, and as the organization’s top prospect will be counted on to contribute this season.

Big things are expected from Ryan, Perry and Getzlaf, assuming they are all still Ducks this season. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Look For A Bounce-back Season From – The top line of Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan all had sub-par seasons in 2011-12 and will need to bounce back if Anaheim is going to return to the playoffs.  Trade rumours abound for Getzlaf and Ryan and the trio might not even be intact by the beginning of the season.

Hardware Hopefuls – Sheldon Souray, Masterton

Upside – Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan can’t possibly be worse than they were last season, can they?

Downside – The loss of Justin Schultz even before he ever played a game in the organization has left a gaping hole in the system.

2013 Prognosis – Hate to sound like a broken record, but if Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan can’t all get more than 70 points, the Ducks will not make the playoffs.  Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu aren’t getting any younger and the fountain of youth has to run out of water soon.

They finished 15 points out of the playoffs last season, and that is a steep hill to climb to get back into the race.  Not likely a playoff team.