Anaheim Ducks 2014-15 Season Preview
May 16, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne (8) is greeted by goalie Jonas Hiller (1) and defenseman Francois Beauchemin (23) after game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
ANAHEIM DUCKS
2013-14 RECAP
The Anaheim Ducks won the Pacific Division regular season title and upended the Dallas Stars in the first round, before bowing out to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings in 7 games in the 2nd round.
Apr 5, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler (17) skates against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
CHANGES
IN – Ryan Kesler, Dany Heatley, Nate Thompson, Louis Leblanc
OUT– Teemu Selanne, Jonas Hiller, Saku Koivu, Mathieu Perreault, Daniel Winnik, Nick Bonino, Luca Sbisa
The addition of Kesler more than makes up for any of the losses on the ice, as he is a prototypical second line centre that will insulate Ryan Getzlaf, not that he needs insulating. The Ducks will miss all-around good guy Selanne and the effect he had on the team is more than goals and assists.
Feb 27, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Minnesota Wild forward Dany Heatley (15) celebrates after scoring against the Edmonton Oilers in the third period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
3 BIG QUESTIONS
1. Are the Kids alright in net? – By letting Hiller walk to the Flames, the Ducks are turning the reins of the franchise over to a pair of young but highly skilled goalies. John Gibson and Frederik Andersen have both shown flashes of brilliance in their short careers and it will be an interesting battle to see which one gets the top job or if they split time fairly evenly.
2. Does Heatley have anything left? – The Ducks took a shot at the veteran whose offensive ability seems to have fallen off a cliff. He saw fourth line duty in the playoffs with the Wild, and from all accounts was actually a good teammate and accepted his role. Heatley has had chemistry with Getzlaf at previous international competitions, but I don’t think you will see the combination much this season, aside from maybe some early season power play time to see if Heatley has anything left in the tank.
3. Are the Ducks deep enough? – There is no doubting the top end talent of Getzlaf and Corey Perry. However, two or three players from the likes of Patrick Maroon, Matt Beleskey, Devante Smith-Pelly, Emerson Etem and Jakob Silfverberg will have to make big strides and assume key roles for this team to be successful.
Apr 27, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) faces the Dallas Stars attack during game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Ducks defeated the Stars 5-4 and win the series 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
PREDICTION
With a solid (and possibly spectacular) young goaltending duo, a decent defense corps and top end talent up front, the Ducks are once again a solid group that will be a playoff team and should compete for another divisional title. It is a new era without Selanne, but the acquisition of Kesler shows that the Ducks aren’t going to take a back seat to anyone in the western arms race.
1st in the Pacific Division