Hunter, bc
The Ducks? They endured a terrible first half of the season, replaced Randy Carlyle as coach with Bruce Boudreau, then went on a furious run to cut a 20-point deficit in the postseason race all the way down to four before fading late and finishing with a 34-36-12 record, last in the Pacific and 15 points shy of a playoff berth.
The fade began the moment the guys got passed the trade deadline. In other words, once they knew they had their jobs, they quit.
Anaheim hasn’t made any splashy moves to this point in the offseason and, shy of the Bobby Ryan trade rumors coming to fruition, probably won’t. Instead, the Ducks will hope the revitalized health of goalie Jonas Hiller, a return by the ageless Teemu Selanne, and more consistent production from Ryan and linemates Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf help spell a bounce-back 2012-13 campaign.
That’s a lot of the words to say we need our best players to be our best players.
For a team that scored 204 goals — seventh-worst in the NHL and 35 fewer than the previous season — the importance of Selanne’s return can’t be understated. As the Ducks try to develop some of their young talent into secondary scorers who can ease the pressure the top line has to produce, the 42-year-old Finnish legend remains a cornerstone of the offense — especially on the power play, where his 12 goals last season ranked eighth in the League.
Coach just might put Flash on the top line in ES situations.
Selanne is just one of many Ducks to speak glowingly this offseason about the job Boudreau did to turn the club around after his hiring last Dec. 1.
“He does it in a right way,” Ryan said in the L.A. Times late last season, after Boudreau had to give the team a dressing down. “He does in a way that makes you want to give a little more, makes you want to work that extra bit.”
As opposed to the rippin’ beat downs from his predecessor.
New additions brought in by general manager Bob Murray include a pair of veteran defenseman – Sheldon Souray, who had a resurgent season with the Stars and brings a booming shot from the point, and Bryan Allen, a steady stay-at-home type — as well as checking forward Daniel Winnikand gritty Brad Staubitz. Swedish goalieViktor Fasth was signed as the new backup to Hiller.
This D is very different and better defensively with the addition of Allen. Winnick might be our best defensive forward since Rob Niedermayer was allowed to go UFA. We’re tougher to play against but I don’t see this group as necessarily becoming more successful. They can but will they?
And while players like Selanne and 37-year-old fellow alternate captain Saku Koivu represent the elder statesmen on the Ducks, the roster is full of young talent who must continue to develop, like defensemen Cam Fowler and Luca Sbisa and forwards Nick Bonino and Devante Smith-Pelly. In addition, a list of prospects headed by forwards Kyle Palmieri and Emerson Etem are knocking on the door.
Yup, if the kids step up it will make a huge difference.
In many ways, Anaheim’s 2011-12 campaign mirrored that of the New Jersey Devils a season earlier. The Devils bounced back and went to the Stanley Cup Final last spring; while it might seem a tall order for the Ducks to do the same, their goal of making the playoffs is realistic. And as the Kings just got done proving, once a team gets there anything is possible.
All very true but being realistic I rate our chances of making the playoffs at 55%, missing the playoffs at 42% and going to the SCF at 3% or less.
The rest of Brian Hunter on our Ducks is here.
On people saying Getzy should shoot more:
Getzlaf often answers: “What would Corey Perry do if I was shooting all the time?”
It is my opinion that: 1. Getzlaf thinks that his perfomance is OK. 2. His answer is not very intelligent, avoiding the issue. 3. He doesn’t see any adjustments of his game are necessary. . 4. Teemu will not enjoy playing with him ES. 5. Perry will not improve much if Getz ignores the coach and doesn’t markedly improve his game.
Totally agree cz. Getz has always said that he sees himself as emulating San Jose Shark, Joe Thornton. As you note, Getz has shown no evidence in his seven year career of any willingness to become a more complete player.
Fact is, if Getzlaf shot more often Corey Perry would be burying and/or deflecting the rebounds in.
Getzlaf either makes the cute play or commits a giveaway. So long as Getzlaf doesn’t shoot, he’s a one trick pony. Even those tiems when Getz is part of a 2 on1 goalies cheat because the trust that he’ll pass. When he does that, he actually hurts Pears or another teammate chance of scoring.
Getz tongue in cheek “What would Perry do?” shows his total lack of respect for Ducks fans. It isn’t humorous and serves to restate his commitment to being nothing more than a perimeter player.
When the Boston Bruins realized what it had in Joe Thornton, it moved him. We should do the same.
Well said, bc. That’s exactly how I feel. Whenever there is an opening in the defense, players should jump into it, seize the chance. Logic dictates that.
The Sharks got at least their money worth (For Jumbo Joe) during 2006 – 2009 seasons, and his recent slow decline was not as bad.
Not sure about the Sharks getting value for Thornton cz. I see it as a strategic error because you can’t build around a perimeter player. The playmaker by definition is primarily a support role.
The frustrating part about Ryan Getzlaf is that he has the skill set to be a complete hockey player but he lacks the self-image and temperament.
Getz was intimidated by Chris Pronger. Even on the Olympic team you could see Getz looking for the approval of Prongs.
Maybe Sheldon Souray and to some extent Bryan Allen and Daniel Winnick will serve to light a fire under the Captain.
I hope so but am not all that hopeful. Getz is a big guy but nobody is bigger than the team or the game.
On second thought: Did Getz mean to imply that Perry depends on him to get the pass, to shoot, to be effective?
OK, but Joe Thornton can score too, and better than Getz. He can also walk the puck towards the net. At least his 29 goals in 07-08 and 25 goals the year after showed that he is not only one-dimensional player. However, he usually faded away during the playoffs ( and had too many giveaways). Both of us were comparing these two players for a long time. Even though Joe Thornton is more expensive, I would rather have him than Getzlaf. It looks to me that our captain doesn’t think well, and, after his injury, he is afraid to be around the crease.
In conclusion, I think (or thought) that Getzlaf is (was) more talented, and I expected him to score appr. 35 goals a season. And so far there is nothing to show for that promise.
Pronger was vocal and he was never afraid to speak his mind. I hope (as you do) that some of the players will have positive influence on Getz. Perry should try, too.
Yeah, Perry is the key.
What about Peter Sykora to improve our scoring ability? He still doesn’t have a contract, he had a decent season (21 goals) in 2011-2012 (except play-offs). He did not like it very much in S. California the first time around, but he is an experienced veteran, and he could be cheap. Last year he signed a one-year contract with the Devils worth $650,000. However, I do not think that our GM likes him.
Pete Sykora could be a good pick up toward the trade deadline. He certainly helped the Devils, including scoring key goals down the stretch and in the playoffs.
Though Coach identified us as being “one forward short” I sense that the young guys will get first shot.
This camp and the next couple-3 seasons is Bob Murray’s opportunity to raise his record above mediocre. His defenders have always said that he’s drafted well. Now that those draftees are moving up the depth chart we’ll soon see exactly how well.